Professor Surgeoner, an entomologist,was interviewed about the West Nile virus on CBC Radio North, May 7, 2003. He was contacted afterward by a fellow tourist outfitter and sent back the following in an email. He replied specifically about north-eastern Ontario, which is where Lake Wabatongushi is, but the information is most likely relevant to all of northern Ontario.

There are no absolutes with respect to transmission of the West Nile Virus, however-

(a) Most mosquitoes in northern Ontario are spring Aedes and are not known to be bridging species of the virus from birds to humans.

(b) Human cases of West Nile typically occur in late August/September, as the virus must build in the bird population before mosquitoes are likely to feed on infected birds and then feed on humans.

(c) The species of mosquitoes Culex sp. that feed on birds and cause the build up of the virus in birds are much less common in Northern Ontario.

(d) Because of cooler temperatures in northern Ontario and frosts sooner in the fall, there is less likelihood of a "build up of virus".

(e) So enjoy northern Ontario's great scenic beauty, use common sense (i.e. avoid bites and use repellents, if necessary). The risks from West Nile are extremely minimal.

Gord Surgeoner, Entomologist
University of Guelph
Guelph, Ontario