Summary of West Nile Virus Activity in Canada

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Summary of West Nile Virus Activity in Canada

• Peter A. Buck BSc DVM MSc
• Manager, Zoonoses Section
• Public Health Agency of Canada
• Acknowledgements H. Artsob, I.K. Barker, M.
  Drebot, R.Lindsay, and P. Sockett

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Surveillance in Canada 2000 - 2005

• Monitoring activities include surveillance in
• Birds
• Dead birds
• Sentinel Chickens
• Mosquitoes
• Horses
• Humans

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National Surveillance for WN virus Submission
of Specimens
Avian
Public
Local Health Unit/Natural Resources/ Conservation
/Animal Control
CCWHC/Provincial Veterinary Laboratories
National Microbiology Laboratory
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National Surveillance for WN virus Submission
of Specimens
Mosquitoes
Local Health Unit/Mosquito Contractor
Mosquito Contractor/University-based Contractor
National Microbiology Laboratory
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National Surveillance for WN virus Submission
of Specimens
Horse
Owner
Local Veterinarian
Commercial Laboratory
CFIA
Provincial Laboratory
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National Surveillance for WN virus Submission
of Specimens
Human
Health Care Provider
Provincial Laboratory
National Microbiology Laboratory
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National Surveillance 2003 - 2005 Case
Classification
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Canada to the last week of December 2002-2005
1 probable and confirmed (number of deaths in
brackets) 2 confirmed positive (number tested in
brackets) 3 presumed or confirmed 4 Several
cases are related to travel outside Canada 5
These figures represent the number of positive
results reported to the CFIA as per the
Immediately Notifiable Disease Regulations
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Peak season 50 of cases
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Human West Nile Virus Cases by Clinical
Classification in Canada 2003-2005
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Blood Screening for WNV in Canada

• Blood Agencies
• Hema-Quebec (1 province)
• Canadian Blood Services (9 provinces, 3
  territories)
• Both use Roche platform
• Both have developed close working relationships
  with public health partners

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WNV Infection Detected through Donor Blood
Screening
One was not positive by alternate NAT
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Serosurvey Results in Canada
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Partners in West Nile virus Surveillance and
Response
Public Health Agency of Canada Pest Management
Regulatory Agency First Nations and Inuit Health
Branch Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety
Branch Health Products and Food
Branch Communications, Marketing and Consultation
Directorate
Provincial/Territorial Steering Committees
Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Chief Medical Officers of Health
Environment Canada
Department of National Defence
Parks Canada
Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Blood Operators
Health Professional Organizations
Consumers Groups
International Linkages
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• For more information, please consult the Public
  Health Agency of Canadas WNV website at
• www.westnilevirus.gc.ca
• Pour plus dinformations, consulter le site Web
  dAgence de santé publique du Canada sur le virus
  du Nil occidental à ladresse suivante
• www.virusduniloccidental.gc.ca

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Communications Approach

• To date
• Served as a credible source of information
• Ensured consistent messaging and reached high
  risk populations
• During 2005, PHAC continued its coordinating
  role with regional offices, P/Ts and other
  federal Departments. Key objectives were to
  sustain messaging while supporting
  provincial/territorial efforts
• Facilitate information-sharing through
  communications committee
• Continue public education with in-store promotion
• The First Nations and Inuit Health Branchs
  public education campaign focused on personal
  protective measures (avoiding mosquito bites and
  eliminating sources of standing water)

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Communications and Public Education

• Canadians are not taking proper steps to protect
  themselves against WNV
• Communications and public education to get people
  to take action
• Focus on behaviour and attitudinal change
• Reach people in high risk target groups
• Partnerships public and private
• Proactive communications
• Social marketing
• Ensure equal access to information for all
  Canadians
• Reinforce messaging on the safety of DEET