Longer, Warmer NWT Summers Improve Odds For Spread Of Multiple Mosquito-Borne Viruses, MDs Warn
In late June, Dr Kami Kandola – the territory’s chief public health officer – circulated a notice that stated: “With climate change and resulting changes to animal reservoirs, the physical environment, and mosquito vectors, California serogroup virus infection incidence could increase in NWT.” California serogroup viruses are a class of 18 related viruses carried by mosquitoes, at least seven of which have been shown to cause neurological disease in humans.
The three best-known such viruses in North America are Jamestown Canyon virus, snowshoe hare virus, and La Crosse virus. La Crosse virus has so far not been detected in Canada. Though Dr Kandola’s advisory did not state the NWT had experienced any increase in California serogroup cases among humans, there has been at least one recent confirmed diagnosis in the territory of meningoencephalitis – a severe neurological condition – linked to snowshoe hare virus.
Kandola said California serogroup infections were “infrequently diagnosed but … have occurred in all provinces and territories.” The warning comes as summers in the NWT get hotter and last longer, making it easier for mosquito-borne viruses to thrive.
A spokesperson for the territory’s Department of Health and Social Services said Kandola had sent the notice after “mosquito surveillance conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources determined some mosquitoes in the NWT had the California serogroup viruses.” Taz Stuart, an entomologist and mosquito specialist who has worked in the territory, said diseases carried by mosquitoes are only now becoming a problem in the NWT.
EDIT
https://cabinradio.ca/67389/news/environment/nwt-braces-itself-for-increase-in-mosquito-borne-diseases/