Nearly two years after Comox Valley residents complained to Environment Canada And Health Canada (and got the brush off *laughs even* ) about large numbers of dead crows being found on beaches and in neighborhoods; officials now report the disease is here on Vancouver Island and the first person has come down with symptoms.
Earlier this past summer officials admitted that the virus had been found in Trail BC.. but they continuously denied that it could have migrated to Vancouver Island. Health officials claim to be shocked that the virus had moved completely west, something they had not expected to occur for at least another two years, maybe longer. Strangely, citizens had been long reporting dead crows and their fears that West Nile may be here.
Environment Canada had responded to dead crow reports by simply asking people to count them and report the numbers. They were told that no birds were being tested, just counted! Could that mean that they knew the virus was already here? Why would they not test at least some birds? If you have no reason to believe a deadly virus is thriving in your neighborhood, why count crows at all?
© Arlene Longson March 05/2003
