This year health officials expect the West Nile Virus to expand into Canada. Over 50% of crows in New York State had the virus last year.
There was a "suspect" crow found dead in Windsor, Ontario last year but because the sample (Mr. Crow) was so old, tests were inconclusive.
Now there are more accurate ways of testing for the virus, which can produce Menningitis-type symptoms in some people.
The virus is typically (but not exclusively, according to some scientists) spread by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are Canada's national bird, so that makes us all nervous.
Crows don't keep the virus in themselves very long because it doesn't take them long to drop dead. When it enters starlings or swallows, that's another story...
Canadians along the U.S. border are asked to bring dead birds, especially crows and blue jays to the authorities immediately. The local crow population is usually decimated in a West Nile Virus area four days before the humans are affected.
Have a nice summer!
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Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful. Rom. 12:12 NLT
