Final West Nile stats

During the 2007 West Nile Virus surveillance season, 1,036 mosquito batches were tested for the virus. Three mosquito batches tested positive. A total of 58 dead crows and blue jays were reported and those specimens suitable for testing were sent to the laboratory. Two birds tested positive in Peel this year. The mosquito and bird surveillance programs concluded on Sept. 30.

The stagnant water reporting program ended Aug. 31. Peel Public Health received 297 stagnant water reports from Peel residents this year.

There was one confirmed human case of WNV in Peel Region thus far in 2007. A female in her late teens living in Mississauga tested positive for WNV in August. It is unclear whether the disease was contracted locally or abroad.

The fourth and final round of roadside catch basin larviciding was completed on Sept. 1. The fourth round was indicated by a green dot on the catch basin grate.

Larviciding of catch basins in the green spaces of parks in Peel has been completed. The treatment of surface water sites on public lands also concluded Sept. 30.

The weather played a large role in WNV and since this September and early October have been warmer than usual, WNV is still a threat.

There were 77 WNV-positive birds reported in Ontario. In the regions neighbouring Peel, WNV-positive birds have been reported in York Region, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Health Unit, Halton Region, Toronto and Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit.

Fifty-one batches of mosquitoes have tested positive for WNV in Ontario - 17 in Toronto, 13 in Windsor-Essex, eight in Halton Region, four in Chatham-Kent, three in Hamilton, three in Peel Region, and one in each of Niagara, Northwestern Health Unit and Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit.

Thirteen human cases of WNV infection were reported in Ontario.

WNV activity in Canada remains high in the western provinces. Manitoba has reported 948 positive batches of mosquitoes, 551 human cases and eight positive cases in horses.

Manitoba also reported three deaths associated with WNV. Saskatchewan reported 460 positive mosquito batches, 64 positive birds and 57 positive cases in horses. There were 477 confirmed human cases, with an additional 844 cases under investigation. Health officials in Saskatchewan report four deaths associated with WNV. Alberta has reported 223 positive mosquito batches, 291 human cases and 32 positive cases in horses. British Columbia has reported 16 positive human cases; however, all acquired the virus while travelling outside of the province.