Provincial health officials and consultants at the University of Prince Edward Island are continuing to monitor for any signs of the West Nile Virus in the province.
The virus has never been diagnosed in Canada, but has recently been found in New York state very close to the Canadian border. Insecticide spray programs have been implemented in some locations to control the virus.
Dr. Lamont Sweet, Chief Health Officer advised that the West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitos who have fed on infected birds.
"So far there have been no cases of the disease on PEI," stated Dr. Sweet. "The virus causes fever, headache, and confusion in humans five to fifteen days after being bitten by a mosquito that has been infected by a bird."
Testing of dead birds for the West Nile Virus by the Atlantic Veterinary College continues and many Islanders have sent birds in for testing. No bird has shown any sign of the West Nile virus.
A study of mosquitos by the Biology Department at UPEI has found 21 different species of mosquitos on PEI, including species which do interact with birds and can become carriers of the virus.
Although the risk of the West Nile Virus reaching PEI this year is unknown, the provincial government is developing a contingency plan. The government is presently exploring various spray options currently used in the US to control the virus. Spray programs will only be considered should the virus reach PEI.