West Nile Virus
West Nile virus is a virus mainly transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Mosquitoes transmit the virus after becoming infected by feeding on the blood of birds which carry the virus.
Most people infected with the virus have no symptoms or they have flu-like symptoms. Sometimes though, the virus can cause severe illness, resulting in hospitalization and even death so it is important to know the symptoms of illness related to infection and how to minimize your risk, especially if virus activity is reported in an area near you.
Government of Canada’s Role
The Public Health Agency of Canada is working with its partners on a coordinated approach to reducing the risk of exposure to West Nile virus through education, surveillance, prevention and response. The approach was developed by a number of partners, including Health Canada, the provincial Ministries of Health, other federal and provincial departments and agencies, and the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre.
Health Canada is responsible for:
What Information is Available?
Find out more about the symptoms of the West Nile Virus and how you can minimize your risk by consulting the following resource:
The Public Health Agency of Canada coordinates national surveillance and response to West Nile virus, and provides:
Related Resources
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