1- For hunters and outdoors enthusiasts - on WNV

A list of web sites that were provided by Ted Leighton and Marc Richard on what to say to hunters and outdoors enthusiasts about WN virus (message that was distributed by Health Canada).
CDC Question and Answers: WN virus and Wild Game Hunters
Ohio State University Fact Sheet
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Proper Field Handling of Wild Game and Fish
Penn State College of Agriculture Sciences
Texas Parks and wildlife

2- Where to test horses for WNV?

Labs doing serological for WNV

1. National Veterinary Services Laboratory, Ames, IA 515-663-7551
2. Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory, Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Dr. Willie Reed Director, AHDL (517) 353-0635
3. Cornell Veterinary Medicine Diagnostic Laboratory Diagnostic Laboratory College of Veterinary Medicine Cornell University Ithaca, NY

3-WNV in Canada (in horses and in a flock of domestic geese)

Date of previous report - August 8, 2002: West Nile fever in Canada in birds

Situation
It is already known that the West Nile virus has been found in four provinces, from Quebec to Saskatchewan in wild birds through a collaborative surveillance effort from the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre, the provincial governments and Health Canada. In horses, passive surveillance resulted in a few positive PCR results reported in the provinces of Ontario and Saskatchewan while over 40 positive PCR tests were reported in Manitoba at various locations (as of August 30, 2002). West Nile Virus was also identified as the cause of death in domestic geese in southern Manitoba. The infection was confirmed by PCR in three commercial grower geese flocks on a single premises. The birds in the older flocks demonstrated neurological symptoms and experienced a very low mortality. A flock of 3-5 week old goslings experienced a twenty percent mortality, with an additional fifteen percent of the flock being culled by the owner. Additional testing was conducted at the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease Laboratory in Winnipeg, with negative results for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease. There is currently no more evidence of disease on the premises. Considering that numerous WNV cases have already been found in wild birds, PCR positive results are being deemed sufficient to classify these cases reported in horses and in the geese flock as positive cases of WNV infection. Controls The WNV equine vaccine used in the USA has been made available to Canadian veterinarians for their clients. More than 25,000 doses were imported and distributed, mainly in the province of Ontario. Horses being dead-end hosts, there is no restriction imposed on healthy horses on premises where cases are found. As provided under the vaccine registration conditions, horses vaccinated against WNV may be ineligible for export. Regarding the geese, the flocks will not be sent to slaughter until at least 30 days after the final clinical signs or mortalities attributed to WNV have occurred. Responsibility West Nile fever is not a reportable disease in Canada. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency, which until now was assisting and collaborating with other Canadian partners in an overall WNV surveillance scheme led by Health Canada, has decided to concentrate on federally reportable diseases while provincial laboratories can diagnose and report on non-reportable diseases. West Nile virus geographical distribution is deemed to be best monitored through wild birds surveillance. The Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre is the main contributor for wildlife disease surveillance in Canada.

4-Hunters should wear waterproof gloves when handling wildlife

Six horses in Saskatchewan have now tested positive for the West Nile virus. Saskatoon's Canadian Co-operative Wildlife Centre's Susan Yakimoski said too little is known about West Nile virus in North America to assess the risk it may pose to hunters in Canada. "Hunters should wear waterproof gloves when handling wildlife and when cleaning, plucking, or otherwise processing wild game. They should take care to prevent receiving any cuts, puncture wounds, or scratches during processing. They should take care to wash knives, and processing equipment thoroughly with soap and water. Wild game should be cooked thoroughly." (StarPhoenix, Leader-Post, Sept. 10)