City of Hamilton - Public Health Services

West Nile Virus (WNV)

West Nile virus (WNV) is a virus found in wild birds and carried by mosquitoes. When an infected mosquito bites a bird, the bird can become infected and can pass the virus on to other mosquitoes. When an infected mosquito bites a human, the virus can cause mild-to-severe symptoms, including West Nile fever or encephalitis.

Protect Yourself

Remove standing water from your property

West Nile Virus in Hamilton

Dead Bird Reporting
Effective 2009, Hamilton will no longer be testing birds for West Nile Virus. Dead bird testing is no longer required as an early indicator of West Nile Virus in Ontario because information collected over the past few years across the province has confirmed when and where the virus will most likely appear. Locally for 2010, we will no longer be tracking dead birds as we have found the data does not show us any trends and it has not been a good predictor of increased West Nile virus activity in our area.
Ontario will continue to use other indicators, such as mosquito surveillance, to determine the human health risk of WNV in the province.
Standing Water Reporting surveillance will begin April 1 for the season. The by-law is in effect from April 1 to October 31 so no complaints are investigated outside of that timeframe.
WNV prevention plans in Hamilton
Surveillance statistics (2001 to 2010)
City of Hamilton - 2009 Vector Borne Disease Report
Important facts about WNV (available in english, french, spanish, chinese and arabic)
Notice of Application for Mosquito Control
City of Hamilton Adult Mosquito Control Registry

Learn More About West Nile Virus

General questions and answers (Q&A)
Reduce Exposure to Mosquito Bites
Q&A - WNV and children (daycares, camps, schools)
Q&A - Controlling larvae (larviciding)
Q&A - Controlling adult mosquitoes (adulticiding)
Insects commonly mistaken for mosquitoes

Last updated: July 2, 2010

Popular Links

West Nile Virus (WNV)

Protect Yourself

West Nile Virus in Hamilton

Learn More About West Nile Virus

Links and Other Websites

Contact Information


Help City of Hamilton Home City Services City Departments Culture and Recreation Public Health Services & Social Services Topics A to Z Public Health Alcohol, Drugs and Gambling Cancer Screening Community Health Bus Dental Services Food Safety Head Lice HealthProfessionals Immunization Infectious Diseases Injury Prevention Legionella Let's Beat the Flu Nutrition Pandemic Influenza Parenting, Children and Families Physical Activity Prenatal Classes and Pregnancy Resources Safe Water Sexual Health Tobacco-free Living West Nile Virus Workplace Health Pandemic H1N1 Information Social Services Long-term Care Healthy Schools Research Projects & Initiatives News and Publications Your Elected Officials Hot Topics Business & Industry Tourism & Visitor Info Popular Links Invest in Hamilton Tourism Hamilton Hamilton Public Library myhamilton City of Hamilton	City of Hamilton - Public Health Services West Nile Virus (WNV) Print West Nile virus (WNV) is a virus found in wild birds and carried by mosquitoes. When an infected mosquito bites a bird, the bird can become infected and can pass the virus on to other mosquitoes. When an infected mosquito bites a human, the virus can cause mild-to-severe symptoms, including West Nile fever or encephalitis. Protect Yourself Remove standing water from your property West Nile Virus in Hamilton *Dead Bird Reporting* Effective 2009, Hamilton will no longer be testing birds for West Nile Virus. Dead bird testing is no longer required as an early indicator of West Nile Virus in Ontario because information collected over the past few years across the province has confirmed when and where the virus will most likely appear. Locally for 2010, we will no longer be tracking dead birds as we have found the data does not show us any trends and it has not been a good predictor of increased West Nile virus activity in our area. Ontario will continue to use other indicators, such as mosquito surveillance, to determine the human health risk of WNV in the province. Standing Water Reporting surveillance will begin April 1 for the season. The by-law is in effect from April 1 to October 31 so no complaints are investigated outside of that timeframe. WNV prevention plans in Hamilton Surveillance statistics (2001 to 2010) City of Hamilton - 2009 Vector Borne Disease Report Important facts about WNV (available in english, french, spanish, chinese and arabic) Notice of Application for Mosquito Control City of Hamilton Adult Mosquito Control Registry Learn More About West Nile Virus General questions and answers (Q&A) Reduce Exposure to Mosquito Bites Q&A - WNV and children (daycares, camps, schools) Q&A - Controlling larvae (larviciding) Q&A - Controlling adult mosquitoes (adulticiding) Insects commonly mistaken for mosquitoes Links and Other Websites Ministry of Health and Long Term Care HealthyOntario.com Lyme Disease in Ontario Ministry of Environment Ministry of Agriculture and Food (WNV, humans and horses) Public Health Agency of Canada Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre more... Last updated: July 2, 2010 Contact Information Telephone: 905-546-3575 Email: publichealth@hamilton.ca