On May 30, Peterborough Public Health (PPH) reported that a local bird has tested positive for West Nile Virus.
According to PPH, “the bird was found dead in the Peterborough region early in May and submitted for testing” to Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative.
This case will not cause an increase of PPH’s surveillance of mosquitoes and West Nile Virus, but PPH Manager of Environmental Health Julie Bromley said it is a motivator for “prevention messaging.”
The most effective way to reduce the risk of contracting West Nile Virus is reducing exposure to mosquitoes: PPH recommends wearing full-cover clothing, using recommended insect repellant, and removing brush and standing water from your property.
PPH also recommends to avoid interacting with dead birds, and to report the bird to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative for testing.
Learn more about West Nile Virus symptoms and prevention in the full CFFF story.
