August 8, 2003 West Nile - A Powassan Connection

Now that SARS has been removed from the front page of the newspaper, West Nile Virus has become the topic of concern. The virus discovered in the West Nile area of Uganda in 1937 appeared in the U.S. in 1999 and in Canada shortly thereafter. To date, there have been 1000 confirmed cases in Canada with 17 deaths and 4000 cases in the U.S. with 400 deaths. West Nile Virus affects people of all ages and ranges from no symptoms to serious neurological illness such as encephalitis - an inflammation of the brain that can be permanently debilitating or deadly.

The provincial government has launched a 118 million dollar campaign to make people aware of the precautions to prevent being bitten by the mosquitoes that carry the virus. Insect repellent with DEET in it is the key to prevention along with appropriate clothing and keeping away from mosquito areas. Cases are starting to appear this summer and some infected birds have been found in our area.

Provincial Government West Nile booklet outlining precautions.

A Community Voices reader sent me a copy of a newspaper clipping from an Ottawa paper making a connection between West Nile and a similar virus first discovered in Powassan and called Powassan Encephalitis. The article states:

" Strange as it may seem, West Nile virus already has a close family relative here. Fortunately, the Powassan virus, named after Powassan in northern Ontario, is a relatively rare cause of encephalitis and, so far, maintains a low profile.

West Nile and Powassan are members of the family of viruses called flaviviruses. They are named after the patriarch of the clan, yellow fever virus; flavus being the Latin for yellow. Yellow fever was a dreaded disease of antiquity…in parts of tropical Africa. Now, thanks to an effective vaccine, the virus is less feared.

The majority of flaviviruses are transmitted by mosquitoes or ticks, and mammals or birds maintain the infection."

The Canadian Medical Association Journal (Nov 1999) provided details on the Powassan virus in medical terms. There was a fatal case of encephalitis in a young child from Powassan and there have been sporadic cases of this rare but life threatening illness since then. The original patient that gave the virus its name contracted the disease from a tick bite in Algonquin Park.

The virus-carrying ticks are found in a variety of small wild animals and are picked up by domestic animals. There have been rare cases in Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick, and in the U.S. Doctors have a profile of the characteristics of the disease and can act quickly to deal with it. The Ontario Provincial Health Laboratory can perform a test to identify the Powassan Encephalitis Virus. It is done as soon as possible so a treatment can be implemented. (see Powassan Encephalitis on computer for details)

SARS, Mad Cow and West Nile are much more prevalent and the Powassan virus is mentioned primarily out of curiosity. Precautions for West Nile apply to ticks as well. These precautions also apply to Lyme Disease caused by deer ticks and publicized widely a few years ago. The deer tick carries a bacteria or germ that causes inflammation in the joints, nervous system, heart and skin. There are now treatments that mitigate the impact of the disease. (see www.arthritis.ca or keyword Lyme disease).

On a lighter note doctors are encouraged to respond to articles in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. A response to an article on Powassan Encephalitis in 1999 and recorded on the journals website will be of interest to people who knew Powassan's legendary Doctor R.H. Dillane. The article was written in March 2000 by family doctor W. J. Copeman  who knew Dr. Dillane. Dr Copeman practiced in Burk's Falls for years and was honored there on his 80th birthday last Saturday.

"I read Edward Ralph's editorial on Powassan encephalitis with interest. Powassan is a small community 35km south of North Bay, Ontario. A family doctor, R.H. Dillane, practised there for more than 50 years, and he diagnosed the disease that became known as the Powassan virus.

He referred the patient to Toronto and told the specialists at the Hospital for Sick Children how the child had contracted the disease. The specialists and researchers agreed with his diagnosis and then named the disease the Powassan virus.

RH, as he was known, never sent bills. He practiced 7 days a week. He made house calls. In winter, he would travel with team and cutter. He never made much money. One year, when many doctors were away at the war, he delivered 233 babies in a house in town with the help of a nurse. He was highly regarded as an excellent diagnostician. It was said that, with little more than a history and physical examination, "he could just smell the problem."

A local newspaper once published a photo of a doctor who was retiring from practice and commented that he had delivered 1000 babies. RH had a good chuckle over that one. "Heck," he said, "I had a 1000 deliveries for which I never got paid."

How nice it would have been if this disease had been called the Dillane virus in honour of the fine old country doctor who discovered it."

Invitation to the Kiosk Reunion-Saturday August 23 Mattawa

Thirty years ago this summer (Friday July 13, 1973) the Staniforth Lumber and Veneer Co. at Kiosk burned to the ground and ending a remarkable 37-year history. The Master Plan for Algonquin Park did not allow for such communities to be built or rebuilt. Many of the workers moved to mills at Rutherglen and Tee Lake, Quebec and had long careers there. The town, which had been the largest in Algonquin Park history, died a slow and painful death.

Kiosk residents watching the mill burn on friday the 13th of July 1973

The people of Kiosk were like a family and kept in touch and eventually began to have annual reunions. Golf, a banquet, displays, music and dancing are featured. Many families get together for family reunions and attend the event together.

Since this is the 30th anniversary the planning committee wants to invite anyone with a Kiosk connection to attend to help make this a special day. My son and I will attend and be a part of a historical presentation. Richard Gould, author of the new novel on Kiosk (Lake of Gulls) will also make a presentation. For further information contact Norm Lagace at 705-744-0016 or Guy Laferriere at 705-474-4847.