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FIRST CONFIRMED HUMAN CASES OF WEST NILE VIRUS FOR 2004

Released on August 18, 2004

Saskatchewan Health has confirmed five human cases of West Nile Virus with recent transmission in 2004. Another three cases are considered confirmed, but the date of onset is not clear and may have been last year.

One of the recent cases was in the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region, one in the Five Hills Health Region, one in Sun Country Health Region and two in the Heartland Health Region. These individuals became ill between July 26th and August 8th. Of the cases with uncertain dates of transmission, two were in Five Hills and one in Regina Qu'Appelle.

"We have been investigating a number of cases at any point in time over the last year," Saskatchewan Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Ross Findlater said. "Because the West Nile Virus antibodies can stay within a person's bloodstream for up to 500 days, it is sometimes difficult to determine if cases are recent or from last year. With positive blood tests and the timing of onset of symptoms, we can now say that these five cases are recent ones from this year."

All cases fit the West Nile Fever description, rather than the more severe West Nile Neurological Syndrome. One individual was hospitalised, but is now at home.

"We expected to start seeing our first cases around this time. Late July and August is the highest risk period for West Nile Virus infection in Saskatchewan," Findlater said. "If people are outside, they need to remember to protect themselves from mosquito bites."

Protective measures include wearing light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts or jackets and long pants and socks; wearing insect repellent consistently; and decreasing time outside when mosquitoes are most active, particularly at dawn/early morning and in the evening.

Mosquitoes capable of carrying West Nile Virus are currently spread out across the central and southern part of the province. To date, there have been a total of 18 birds testing positive for West Nile Virus in the Five Hills, Kelsey Trail, Regina Qu'Appelle, and Saskatoon health regions. A total of 11 positive mosquito pools have been found in Five Hills, Cypress, Prairie North, and Sun Country health regions.

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For More Information, Contact:

Mark Rathwell
Health
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-4083

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