Fort Smith (May 26/03) - Before SARS and mad cow disease, many people's health concerns focused on West Nile virus.

And despite those other headline-grabbing health issues, West Nile virus still worries people as it continues its march across North America.

At last week's meeting of Fort Smith town council, Councillor Tim McDonald said the municipality should become prepared in case West Nile shows up in the area.

"It's something we should be looking at," McDonald, noting the Fort Smith area has a serious problem with mosquitoes, which spread the virus elsewhere.

Mayor Peter Martselos said the town is ready for any challenge, noting a response to West Nile could be quickly organized, if needed.

"In a matter of seconds we can all be together."

The sometimes fatal virus -- mostly found in over 100 species of birds -- can be transmitted by mosquito bites to nine mammals, including humans. It can cause fatal inflammation of the brain or membranes covering the brain or spinal cord.

Dr. Andre Corriveau, the NWT's chief medical health officer, says it is very unlikely West Nile will reach the NWT this summer. "We think it is a very remote possibility."

Corriveau said several factors are working in the NWT's favour to prevent West Nile -- the short summer season, a relatively small bird population, and the type of mosquito most likely to carry the virus is not common in the North.

"Many factors have to line up for it to take root," he said.

Corriveau says his office is preparing information packages on West Nile for medical professionals, municipalities and the public.

His office is also working with the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development to ensure the recovery and testing of dead birds -- often the first indication of the arrival of West Nile.

Plus, he says, medical professionals are being informed on how to identify and treat a case of West Nile, if someone should contract it while travelling in the South.

The first North American appearance of West Nile virus was in New York in 1999. Since then it has spread to many parts of the U.S., causing 284 deaths in 2002.

There have also been over a dozen deaths in Ontario and one in Quebec.

Last summer, the closest the West Nile virus got to the NWT was Manitoba and Washington state.

Corriveau says people can help protect themselves from mosquito bites by wearing long-sleeved shirts, using repellents, and limiting time outside in the early morning and early evening.