The West Nile virus is reported to have been a contributory factor in two more deaths -- a man and a woman -- in southern Saskatchewan this month.
The latest victims were from the Saskatoon and Sunrise (Yorkton) health regions. The first victim was a woman in her 80s who lived in the Sun Country Health Region in southeast Saskatchewan. All three had underlying chronic medical conditions, according to Dr. Ross Findlater, chief medical health officer for the province.
"Our West Nile numbers on the Web site have increased by 308 compared to last week. We are up to 647 (confirmed and suspected) cases this summer,'' Findlater told reporters on Friday.
"We are quite aware that there is still some risks in the province. We had a reminder last week because we had three people test positive who were donating blood. The blood was taken out of the system, so it is not really a safety problem at all. But it is a sign to people in Saskatchewan that although we are past the period of peak risk, there is still a risk.
"Whatever you can do to avoid being part of the next bump from this holiday weekend that is coming that is a smart thing to do.''
New figures from the health department show 57 people have tested positive for the disease -- five of whom have the most severe form of the virus, West Nile Neurological Syndrome. Findlater said the department is also aware of another 17 individuals, currently undergoing testing for the virus, who presented symptoms associated with West Nile Neurological Syndrome. (Source)
To find out more about West Nile Virus head over to the CDC.
A little closer to home if you are an America, we also have seen 3 cases of West Niles Virus in Tennessee, confirmed.
The Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed three human cases of West Nile virus this week, the first human cases confirmed in the state this year.
The cases were found in Carter, Davidson and Shelby counties, state department officials said in a release Friday.
"This time of year is when we see the most human infections of West Nile virus," state medical entomologist Abelardo Moncayo said in the release.
Last week routine surveillance tests found two pools of mosquitoes in Hamilton County that tested positive for West Nile virus.
The FDA has approved screening tests for donated blood and Organs.
Gene mutation that appears to be responsible for changing relatively mild forms of the West Nile virus into a highly virulent and deadly disease in American crows has been identified by a team of scientists led by a researcher at UC Davis.
Because it is highly susceptible to West Nile virus, the American crow has served as the major sentinel species, playing an important role in alerting scientists and health professionals to the movement of the disease across North America.
Follow the directions from the CDC to take precautionary measures against West Nile Virus.
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