Description of the situation
13 November 2002
Disease Outbreak Reported
As of 12 November 2002, Health Canada has reported a total number of 141 human cases of West Nile virus infection: 84 suspected cases, 57 confirmed cases, including 2 deaths. One confirmed case is resident in the province of Alberta, one suspected case and 7 confirmed cases are resident in the province of Quebec, and the remaining 83 suspected cases and 49 confirmed cases are resident in the province of Ontario (see previous report). One additional death in a confirmed case and 5 deaths in suspected cases are under investigation in Ontario to determine whether these can be attributed to West Nile virus infection. The one confirmed case in Alberta and one confirmed case in Ontario likely acquired infection while travelling in the United States whereas all other cases acquired their infection within their home province.
For more information about this outbreak see the Health Canada web site: