Third crow tests positive

The Northwestern Health Unit reported today that a dead crow collected in Dryden has been confirmed positive for the West Nile virus.
This is the third positive case of an infected bird in the health unit’s catchment area, but the first for Dryden in 2004.
West Nile virus is spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito, which, in turn, became infected by biting an infected bird, the health unit said.
The virus is not spread by person-to-person contact, nor can it be acquired directly from an infected bird, it stressed.
The Mosquito Surveillance Program, conducted by the Northwestern Health Unit, has been active since early July. To date, no West Nile-positive mosquitoes have been identified.