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Alberta West Nile Virus summary report

Description

This annual report provides information on the incidence of the West Nile virus (WNV) in Alberta and Alberta's actions to respond to the virus for the calendar year under review. In each year... More ≫

Description

This annual report provides information on the incidence of the West Nile virus (WNV) in Alberta and Alberta's actions to respond to the virus for the calendar year under review. In each year covered by an annual report, an interdepartmental committee was established to prepare a provincial response plan to address potential WNV risks in Alberta.

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Alberta West Nile virus wild bird surveillance

Description

However, since dead bird surveillance was initiated in Alberta, a great deal has been learned on WNv activity. We now know that suitable conditions for WNv are limited largely to the Grassland... More ≫

Description

However, since dead bird surveillance was initiated in Alberta, a great deal has been learned on WNv activity. We now know that suitable conditions for WNv are limited largely to the Grassland Natural Region of southeastern Alberta where conditions are most favourable for development of Culex tarsalis. In addition, the number of dead corvids each summer has declined significantly since WNv first appeared, although the populations of crows and magpies did not decline. It is likely that crows and magpies, as well as all the other birds species exposed to WNv, adapted to the presence of WNv in the ecosystem and developed protective immunity. The monitoring of dead birds was discontinued in 2007 because it no longer provided new information about WNv; however testing is conducted on suspect cases as a response to public concern.

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West Nile virus in Alberta : what happened in 2004??

Description

The story of West Nile virus in North America is a very recent one. The virus arrived in New York in 1999 and established populations in migratory birds on the Atlantic Flyway. it then... More ≫

Description

The story of West Nile virus in North America is a very recent one. The virus arrived in New York in 1999 and established populations in migratory birds on the Atlantic Flyway. it then systematically increased its population and spread to birds on the other primary migration pathways, moving steadily westward to the Mississippi, Central and by 2004, the Pacific Flyway. The virus infects birds of many species without causing visible illness, but cases fatal infections in Corvidae (crows, jays and their relatives). It can occasionally spill over and infect horses and humans, and can cause rare fatal results.

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Sage-grouse & West Nile virus in Alberta

Description

The greater sage-grouse is one of the most marvelous animals on the short-grass prairie. Each spring, males gather on open clay pans and do their dance of love. They joust for the preferred... More ≫

Description

The greater sage-grouse is one of the most marvelous animals on the short-grass prairie. Each spring, males gather on open clay pans and do their dance of love. They joust for the preferred territory at the centre of the dancing ground (or lek), and then make complete fools of themselves. The males stand on their tiptoes, flex their tail and wings, puff up their chest and inflate the bright yellow air sacs on their throat. They let the air out with a resounding GALUMP which echoes across the prairie and apparently is an irresistible love call to the secretive females. Most of the activity starts in the wee hours of the morning and ends an hour or so after sunrise.

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