Since its recognition in North America in 1999 the identification of West Nile Virus (WNV) in the corvid family, which includes crows, ravens, magpies and jays, has been shown to precede the first human case by two to six weeks.  WNV in these indicator birds can thus be used as an early warning for its presence in the community.  Since April 2003 the Animal Health Centre has worked in close cooperation with the BC Centre for Disease Control and Regional Health Authorities to monitor for the presence of the WNV in dead corvid species.

The public is requested to notify their Local Health Authority if they encounter a dead corvid and the Health Authority will decide if the bird should be forwarded to the Animal Health Centre for testing for WNV.

Between May 2003 and August 2007 sixteen Local Health Authorities submitted a total of 5768 dead corvids through the public reporting system. To date, all submitted birds have tested negative despite the seasonal presence of WNV in Washington, Idaho, and Alberta. Confirmatory negative testing by Molecular Diagnostic techniques (PCR) is also performed on every 20th submission for quality assurance. In addition no positive mosquitoes or horses have yet been identified in BC.

Although there have been 12 confirmed human cases in BC, all were found to have contracted their infections during travel outside of the province.

Links for Additional Information on West Nile Virus:

Funding to assist West Nile Virus Program Planning: