Weekly Update (Aug 17, 2017; Wk 16) - West Nile Virus and Culex tarsalis

West Nile Virus Risk –  The regions most advanced in degree-day accumulations for Culex tarsalis, the vector for West Nile Virus, are shown in the map below.  As of August 13 2017, areas highlighted in red on the map below have accumulated sufficient heat for C. tarsalis to fly.  Areas highlighted in red, orange and even yellow will have C. tarsalis flying so wear your DEET to stay protected!

The Public Health Agency of Canada posts information related to West Nile Virus in Canada.  In 2016, 104 human clinical cases of West Nile Virus were reported.  The map of clinical cases of West Nile Virus in Canada in 2017 is updated through the summer and three cases of viral West Nile have been reported so far (as of August 5, 2017).  All cases were reported from Ontario (in Timiskaming and Windsor-Essex).

The Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative compiles and posts information related to their disease surveillance for West Nile Virus in birds.  As of August 17, 2017, 1113 birds were examined and 48 have tested positive for West Nile virus; one from Saskatchewan, two from Manitoba, 13 from Ontario, and 32 from Quebec.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also monitors and posts updates on the status of WNV in Mosquitoes.  As of July 22, 2017, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan have reports of positive mosquito pools of West Nile Virus.  A total of 47 positive mosquito pools have been found: 

• 33 from Ontario [Peel Regional (5), Toronto (6), Halton(5), Haliburton-Kwartha-Pine Ridge District(1), Simcoe Muskoka District (1), Windsor-Essex County (6), Eastern Ontario (1), Durham Reginal (1), Hamilton (1), Haliburton-Kawarta-Pine Ridge district (1), Hastings and Prince Edward Countries (2), and York Regional (3)];  
• 11 from Manitoba [(Winnipeg (3), Southern (2), Interlake eastern (1), and Prairie Mountain(5)]; 
• 2 from Quebec [Montérégie (1), Laval (1)], and 
• 1 from Saskatchewan.