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West Nile Virus Equine Surveillance 2003

Author: Paul Innes - Veterinary Epidemiologist/OMAFRA
Creation Date: 07 August 2003
Last Reviewed: 12 November 2003

West Nile virus (WNv) is an Immediately Notifiable Disease under the federal Health of Animals Act. Diagnostic laboratories are required to report details of suspected or confirmed cases of WNv to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food works with the CFIA, Health Canada and private laboratories in the collection and presentation of Ontario equine case data as part of the provincial West Nile virus surveillance, led by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

*Note - Health Canada and the CFIA are reporting all positive test results for WNv, not just confirmed or probable cases. Most of the positive tests to date have been attributed to vaccination or infections from 2002. OMAF will only be reporting those cases considered to be new infections, based on the presence of clinical signs and/or the appropriate laboratory diagnosis.

Equine cases of West Nile virus in Ontario - 2003
Region Date of First Case Date of Last Case Status
Durham
Aug 29
Aug 29
1 confirmed
Eastern Ontario
Aug 18
Aug 18
1 confirmed
Essex
Sept. 6
Sept. 10
1 confirmed
1 probable
Halton
Aug 15
Aug 15
1 confirmed
Niagara
Sept. 13
Oct 14
2 confirmed
Peel
July 17
July 17
1 confirmed
Perth
Sept. 5
Sept. 5
1 confirmed
Peterborough
Aug 16
Aug 16
1 confirmed

Total: 9 confirmed
1 probable

Location of cases for which information is available:

Durham: Cannington*
Eastern Ontario: Apple Hill
Essex: Ruscom Station
Halton: Campbellville*
Niagara: Fenwick
Peel: Inglewood
Perth: Listowel
Peterborough: Lakefield

* possibly acquired outside of Ontario

map showing confirmed Equine West Nile Cases - 2003

 

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