Health officials in the Maritime provinces are working with Health Canada to monitor for signs of West Nile virus in the region again this year.
Although the West Nile Virus has never been diagnosed in people or birds in Canada, Prince Edward Island had a monitoring program in place since the disease appeared in the northeastern United States in 1999.
Mosquitoes spread the virus by feeding on birds and then biting humans. This year the public is asked to watch for dead crows, ravens and jays and to report any they see to Wildlife officials. Dead birds of these species will be collected for examination.
"Symptoms of the disease include a fever, headache, stiff neck and confusion," said Dr. Lamont Sweet, Chief Health Officer.
The public is encouraged to protect themselves from mosquito bites as a precaution. People should eliminate water which is stagnant around their homes and properties so that mosquitoes will not have a breeding area.
Sightings of dead birds in PEI may be reported by contacting the Fisheries and Wildlife Division of the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment at 368-5000.