Laserfiche WebLink
HEALTtl UNiT <br /> <br />Present: See attached <br /> <br /> WEST NILE VIRUS MEETING <br /> 2003 September 25 - 10:30 a.m. <br />Essex County Civic Centre - Room E <br /> <br />HEALTH UNiT <br /> <br />CHAIR: Dr. G. Allen Heimann <br /> <br />1.0 Introductions <br /> <br />Dr. Heimann welcomed municipal representatives in attendance. <br /> <br />2.0 Review of Minutes- 2003 September 11 <br /> <br />Dr. Heimann confirmed that everyone received the minutes of September 11. One correction was <br />noted - Glen Adams was present at the meeting. <br /> <br />3.0 WNV Surveillance Update <br /> <br />Dr. Heimann referred to the information sheets distributed noting that the number of cases in the <br />US to date is 4,576 with 87 deaths. Canadian cases total 725 with three deaths. Clustering of <br />cases is seen in Saskatchewan and Alberta. There were over 400 confirmed cases in Ontario last <br />year and only 57 to date this year. There seems to be a clustering of cases in Central Ontario that <br />involves 48 of the 57 cases; however population breakdown data is not available for the region. <br /> <br />HUlTlan <br />Five cases of WNV have been confirmed in the Windsor-Essex County area with three in <br />Windsor, one in Amherstburg and one in Essex. The cases involve two females and three males <br />between the ages of 16-79. The first case was confirmed shortly after the meeting on August 14 <br />and the last case was confirmed on September 03. <br /> <br />Bird <br />Ten positive birds have been confirmed in the Windsor-Essex County area with the first bird <br />confirmed on August 7 and the last on September 17. <br /> <br />Mosquito <br />Two positive mosquito pools have been collected in two separate traps. A number of pools have <br />been retested and possibly three more will be confirmed positive. <br /> <br />Temperatures at night this week have ranged from 12-14°C, which is the point where activity <br />becomes minimal and mosquitoes are beginning to enter the winter resting stage. <br /> <br />Horses <br />The Health Unit is unaware of any horse fatalities in the area this year. <br /> <br />With regard to testing immunity levels for WNV, Dr. Heimann explained that an individual can <br />get a blood test from their family physician. However, if there is no clinical requirement for an <br />individual to be tested, Dr. Heimann does not recommend. It is believed that immunity to WNV is <br />life-long. Testing inquiries should be directed to the family physician, not the Health Unit. <br /> <br />Page I of 2 <br /> <br /> <br />