West Nile Virus (WNv) is a virus that is found in wild birds and carried by mosquitoes. It was first identified in the province of West Nile, Uganda in 1937. Since then it has been identified in Egypt, Asia, Israel, South Africa, parts of Europe and Australia. In 1999, it was present in the United States for the first time, and in the summer of 2001 was discovered in birds in southern Ontario.

Mosquitoes pass through four develop-mental stages during their life cycle: the egg, larval, pupal and adult stages.

West Nile virus affects wild birds, mainly crows, and can be transmitted to humans through the bite of a mosquito

• Although the risk of disease in humans is low, significant illness occurred in Ontario residents in 2002.
• Those most at risk of severe illness and death are the elderly.
• Of those who are infected 80% have no symptoms, almost 20% have West Nile fever, which consists of fever, headache, muscle ache, and rash. The most serious illnesses are encephalitis and meningitis which occur in 1 in 150 infections.

There is no specific treatment and no vaccine against West Nile virus.

Notice of Pesticide Use

A larviciding program is taking place between June 25 and October 31, 2007. Click the link for further details.