FRANCAIS
July 15, 2002
WEST NILE VIRUS BULLETIN #1
The final results are positive for West Nile virus in a crow discovered July 7, 2002 in central Winnipeg. The initial test is considered a presumptive positive until a second test confirms the presence of the virus. That confirmation was received by Manitoba Health this afternoon.
To date, 144 birds have been picked up in Manitoba since the bird surveillance program began in June. Since Friday’s discovery of the presumptive positive crow, there have been 45 birds picked up in Winnipeg alone.
For the purposes of the West Nile virus program, only dead birds from the crow family are needed. This includes magpies, ravens, blue jays, gray jays and crows.
Dead birds are initially processed by a Manitoba Agriculture and Food laboratory and then tested for the virus at the Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health in Winnipeg. It is anticipated that it will take approximately two weeks to complete testing from the time a bird is picked up.
Public information is available by calling Health Links at 788-8200 in Winnipeg or 1-888-315-9257. Further information is available on the Manitoba Health Web site at www.gov.mb.ca/health/wnv.
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