West Nile Virus
National
West Nile Virus Info-line
West Nile Virus and First Nations
What is being done to address West Nile virus
in First Nations communities?
Health Canada's First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB),
in collaboration with First Nations authorities, carries out West
Nile virus surveillance, public education and intervention/mosquito
control activities in First Nations communities south of 60°.
FNIHB works in cooperation with its provincial/territorial counterparts
to ensure that regional West Nile virus
activities
are consistent
and integrated with those in the provinces and territories wherever
possible.
Surveillance
Monitoring West Nile virus activity through dead bird
and mosquito surveillance and testing:
Surveillance activities in First Nations communities for 2006 focus
on birds, mosquitoes and humans. The objective of West Nile virus
surveillance activities is to detect the presence of West Nile
virus as early as possible in a given community so that decisions
on the appropriate response activities can be made in a timely
manner. If West Nile virus is detected in a First Nations community,
health officials alert the Chief and Council.
Birds
Reporting Dead Birds
Finding a dead bird that tests positive for West Nile virus is
one of the signs that the virus has spread to a given area. Residents
can help detect West Nile virus in their community by contacting
their Community Health Centre or Nursing Station to report
dead birds.
As a general precaution, residents are reminded to always wear
rubber gloves when touching any dead birds or animals, as they
may carry disease.
If a dead bird is reported on a reserve, FNIHB health authorities
(for example, Environmental Health Officers) may coordinate the
collection of the specimen and forward it to the appropriate laboratory
for testing. Testing for West Nile virus is conducted at the Canadian
Cooperative Wildlife Health Centres, or provincial and federal
laboratories, and results are forwarded through the local public
health network to the West Nile virus National Database.
The birds that are collected for West Nile virus testing include
crows, jays, ravens and magpies. However, this varies from region
to region, as well as from province to province. First Nations
residents can contact their Community Health Centre or Nursing
Station for information on what birds are being collected in their
region.
Mosquitoes
Mosquito surveillance establishes what mosquito species are present
and their relative abundance over the season. Mosquitoes are
tested for West Nile virus to determine if there is West Nile
virus activity in the community and if intervention activities
are necessary.
Humans
Health care providers in First Nations communities
watch for symptoms of West Nile virus in their patients, and
request laboratory tests when appropriate. They report probable
or confirmed cases to local and provincial health authorities
and to FNIHB regional health authorities.
Depending on the results of laboratory testing, FNIHB officials and
Chiefs and Councils determine if, when and where intervention activities
to reduce the risk of West Nile virus transmission to humans should
be used. Positive test results are compiled by the FNIHB regional
office and at the FNIHB national level for tracking purposes.
Risk Categories
Low risk areas are defined as areas where there
is the absence of confirmed West Nile virus infection in a bird,
mammal, mosquito pool or human and West Nile virus activity is
unlikely, possible or unknown.
Medium risk areas are defined as areas where
there has been detection of West Nile virus activity in a First
Nations community during the previous year, or within neighbouring
jurisdiction in the current year, based on laboratory-confirmed
identification in a bird, mammal, mosquito pool or human.
High risk areas are defined as areas where there
has been detection of West Nile virus activity in a First Nations
community in a current year, based on laboratory-confirmed identification
of the virus in a bird, mammal, mosquito pool or human.
Note that as "jurisdiction" is defined differently in each province,
FNIHB will follow each province's West Nile virus definition for
jurisdiction, as outlined in provincial guidelines.
Public Education and Awareness
Health Canada's First Nations and Inuit Health Branch informs
First Nations communities about West Nile virus and the steps residents
can take to protect themselves. As part of the West Nile virus
public education campaign, FNIHB health authorities may provide
information sessions for First Nations residents, leaders, community
workers or health care workers upon request. Information focuses
on the following:
Protecting yourself and your family from mosquito bites
First Nations residents can reduce their risk of being bitten by
wearing light-coloured clothing with long sleeves, pants, socks
and a hat when outdoors; limiting the time spent outdoors at
dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active; using insect repellents
that contain DEET or other approved ingredients; and ensuring
that screens and windows on homes, tents
and hunting shelters are in good repair and free of holes.
Reducing mosquito breeding areas
First Nations residents can help reduce mosquito populations around
their homes and communities by reducing or removing standing
water from old tires, small boats and other outdoor items. Water
in outdoor pet dishes should also be replaced at least twice
a week.
Intervention/Mosquito Control
Recommending to Chiefs and Councils appropriate public
health interventions to control West Nile virus activity in a
First Nations community:
FNIHB Health Authorities advise Chiefs and Councils, as well as
other federal government departments, on any emerging needs for
West Nile virus public health control measures in First Nations
communities, including the use of insecticides.
FNIHB Health Authorities consult with their provincial/territorial
counterparts to ensure that regional activities to address West
Nile virus, including the use of insecticides, are consistent and
integrated with provincial activities, wherever possible.
In areas where the risk of contracting West Nile virus is medium
or high (based on reported cases of West Nile virus in humans,
animals, or birds, or its presence in mosquito populations), FNIHB
Health Authorities make a recommendation to the Band leadership
on interventions to be taken. A Band Council Resolution authorizing
the use of insecticides is sought before proceeding with any such
activity.
Insecticides, including larvicides and adulticides, are used to
reduce the population of mosquitoes that could be capable of transmitting
West Nile virus to humans. Larvicides may be used in First Nations
communities where there is a medium or high risk of humans contracting
West Nile virus.
Adulticides are considered only as a last resort to prevent human
infections in instances where there is significant risk
to human health from West Nile virus and where prevention or mosquito
control measures have failed or would clearly be inadequate to
stop the spread of the virus.
Other preventive measures (for example the use of repellents,
avoidance strategies and source reduction) are used before
and during any insecticide campaign.
Where can First Nations residents get more information
on West Nile virus?
First Nations residents looking for information about specific
West Nile activity in their area, including surveillance activities
and case counts, and proposed prevention and response plans, can
visit their local Community Health Centre or Nursing Station.
For more information on West Nile virus, please visit  www.westnile.gc.ca or
call the National
West Nile Virus Info-Line.
Further information on approved insect repellents and ways to
reduce mosquito populations is available through the Pest
Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) Web site (choose Mosquito
Control).
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