Dead crows test positive for West Nile, Porcupine and Sudbury health units report

For the first time since 2019, a crow has tested positive for the West Nile virus in the coverage area of the Porcupine Health Unit.

And Public Health Sudbury and Districts reported a crow in its coverage area also tested positive for the virus.

Although the risk to the public is low, the health units said in a news release that it was important to share the result with the public.

"Health unit staff actively monitor West Nile virus in mosquitoes in various locations within our district in the summer," Kaitlin McCaw, a public health inspector, said in the release.

"The risk of acquiring West Nile virus during seasonal weather remains low."

The crow is the first report of a bird found in Porcupine's coverage area to test positive for the virus in five years. Prior to 2019, the last positive bird reported in the area was in 2006.

There have been no confirmed human cases of the virus reported in the Sudbury or Porcupine health unit coverage areas. The virus is spread to humans and animals when they are bitten by an infected mosquito.

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"While the majority of people (80 per cent) who become infected with West Nile virus do not become ill, those who do usually experience mild flu-like symptoms," the Porcupine health unit said.

"Less than one per cent of people infected with the virus become seriously ill," McCaw said.

"We recommended that you seek medical attention if feeling unwell."

Tips on staying safe can be found on the Porcupine Health Unit’s Mosquitoes and West Nile Virus webpage.