West Nile Virus

Protection and symptoms

Schering-Plough Canada does not guarantee the accuracy of the information contained in the West Nile Section provided herein or on any other sites. The information on this site should in no way be interpreted as medical advice. Should you require medical advice, please consult your healthcare practitioner.

West Nile Virus is transferred from infected birds to people by the bite of a mosquito. The mosquito bites an infected bird and later bites a human, passing on the virus. Crows and a host of other birds can be infected. Although the main carriers of this disease are Culex mosquitoes, the virus has been found in most of the 20 or so kinds of mosquitoes that are commonly found in southern Canada.

As a Canadian with an active lifestyle, you should be aware of how you can prevent mosquito breeding on your property, how you can protect yourself from mosquito bites, and how you can recognize the symptoms of this disease.

Prevention

Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. We should make sure there are no places on our property that would attract egg-laying mosquitoes.