Travel-related Human Case of West Nile Virus Confirmed

Health officials confirmed today, Sept. 9, that the province's first probable human case of West Nile virus has now been confirmed. It is believed that the man, from the Capital District Health Authority, became infected during recent travel to an area of the United States where there are human cases.

"This was announced as a probable case of West Nile virus on Aug. 20. Test results from Health Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg confirm that it is a positive case of West Nile virus," said Dr. Maureen Baikie, associate medical officer of health for the province. "The individual is doing very well."

Dr. Baikie said this case poses no health risk to Nova Scotians. West Nile virus cannot be transmitted from person to person, other than through the blood system. The individual is not a recent blood donor, and Canadian Blood Services has safeguards in place to protect the blood system.

West Nile virus is spread to people through bites from mosquitoes that carry the virus. Nova Scotia travellers should check on West Nile virus activity in areas that they are travelling through or to. In areas where there are positive birds, mosquito pools or human cases, people should reduce the risk of mosquito bites by wearing loose fitting clothing that covers as much skin as possible and by using insect repellant containing DEET according to the instructions on the bottle.

Information on West Nile virus and prevention is available on the Department of Health Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/health . Information on West Nile virus activity throughout Canada can be found at Health Canada's Web site at www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/westnile/index.html . Information on the virus in the United States can be found at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm .