Croix Bleue du Québec

Detected in Québec after transiting by the New York state, West Nile virus (WN) progresses in the region of great Montreal and in Montérégie.

As in previous years, the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS) and its partners are taking the necessary steps to restrict transmission of West Nile virus. In addition to the research and assessment being used to combat WN, the response plan implanted for the 2004 season by the government involves :
• monitoring virus activity in humans, birds and mosquitoes. In addition, the health authorities are now able to diagnose the illness rapidly and specifically.
• wide-ranging information and awareness campaign continuing all summer
• larvicides being sprayed in certain zones identified by experts and in regions where the WNV was present in 2002 and 2003.


Québec residents can fight West Nile virus (WN) and prevent transmission: :
• Protect yourself by using insect repellents and wearing long pants and long sleeves in light colours, especially when mosquitoes are abundant.
• Clean up your environment by removing stagnant water from puddles, children’s toys, wading pools, plant saucers, etc.
• Obtain information : from the website at www.wnvirus.info or by calling Communication-Québec.
• Report : dead crows, ravens and blue jays by calling Communication-Québec at 1-800-363-1363. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Please note : All birds are not going to be collected but it is important to locate them. Reporting dead birds is essential because it allows us to assess the risk of West Nile Virus infection in a particular region.

We must perform a valuable service to the community by reporting a dead bird when we see one. But let’s not panic: West Nile virus is not such a threat to public health and the recommended prevention measures are efficient. Expert firms in Quebec have proven their expertise with larvicides spreadings. Moreover, the virus is transmitted to human when a female mosquito, infected by the virus after stinging an infected bird, stings a second time. The West Nile Virus is not contagious.

Many infected people have no symptoms and do not get sick or have only mild symptoms. When infection does cause illness, symptoms will usually appear within two to 15 days. The extent and severity of symptoms vary widely from person to person.

In mild cases, there may be flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache and body aches. Some people may also develop a mild rash, or swollen lymph glands.

Some individuals have weaker immune systems, and they are at greater risk of developing symptoms and health effects that are more serious, including meningitis and encephalitis. Meningitis is inflammation of the lining of the brain or spinal cord. Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain itself. These conditions can be fatal.

In such cases, symptoms could include the rapid onset of severe headache, high fever, stiff neck, nausea, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, loss of consciousness, lack of coordination, muscle weakness and paralysis. During 2002, several other symptoms of WN virus were identified including movement disorders, parkinsonism, poliomyelitis-like syndrome and muscle degeneration. Anyone who has a sudden onset of these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.

For more detailed information about West Nile virus visit Health Canada's West Nile virus web site at http://westnilevirus.gc.ca or the provincial site http://wnvirus.info

A copy of the response plan implanted in Quebec is available (in French only) on the MSSS website at: www.wnvirus.info

Source:
Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux
Health Canada