FRANCAIS

July 12, 2002

The Manitoba government, in consultation with the City of Winnipeg, has decided to conduct an additional residential mosquito fogging program within Winnipeg as a preventative measure following the discovery of a dead crow that has tested positive for the West Nile virus.

The crow, found July 7 in Winnipeg, was submitted for tests which came back today as "presumptive positive." Further federal tests are underway to confirm the findings and results are expected early next week. It is the first positive test for West Nile virus in Manitoba. To date, 72 birds have tested negative, while another 12 test results are pending.

Health Minister Dave Chomiak made the decision to authorize additional mosquito fogging as a preventative measure under recently-passed amendments to Manitoba’s Environment Act.

As required by the act, the minister of conservation issued a formal order to the City of Winnipeg authorizing the expansion of the city’s fogging campaign. The order also authorizes the continuation of the larviciding program. The fogging and larviciding programs will be conducted in accordance with the 2002 Pesticide Use Permit, with one exception: the 100-metre buffer zone allowance has been removed, effective 24 hours from today.

Manitoba launched its bird surveillance program last year in response to the increasing presence of the West Nile virus in the United States and Canada. It remains extremely rare for people to contract the virus and there have been no reported cases of the West Nile virus in people in Canada.

Manitobans are encouraged to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outside and to consider wearing mosquito repellent containing DEET. DEET is not recommended for children under the age of six months. It is also recommended that standing water be removed in areas around houses and yards.

Birds of the crow family are more susceptible to the virus and the public is encouraged to continue reporting any dead crows, magpies, gray or blue jays and ravens to Health Links at 788-8200, or from outside of Winnipeg at 1-888-315-9257. Horses are also susceptible to the virus, however, the illness is very rare in dogs and cats.

Further public information on the West Nile virus can be obtained by visiting the public health section of the Manitoba Health Web site at www.gov.mb.ca/health/wnv.

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