FRANCAIS

August 09, 2002

• To date, 53 Manitobans have tested negative for West Nile virus infection. Testing will continue as part of the ongoing surveillance efforts to monitor the virus in Manitoba. There have been no human cases of West Nile virus diagnosed in Manitoba. At this time, there is no evidence of increased numbers of patients with symptoms or signs suggestive of West Nile virus infection.
• Testing will continue on a surveillance basis for patients with symptoms or signs that could be compatible with a severe illness caused by West Nile virus. Tests are usually run on a weekly basis with samples from other parts of the country. If a physician needs a result on a more urgent basis, the lab will prioritize the test.
• Lab tests for West Nile virus in people are conducted by Health Canada at the Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health in Winnipeg. Usually a single blood test is all that is needed to rule out the diagnosis. Subsequent testing may be required to confirm or subsequently rule out the diagnosis in some patients.
• West Nile is a viral infection. Most people who are infected by this virus have mild or no symptoms. Severe cases, which are rare, would usually have symptoms of viral encephalitis and/or meningitis. Symptoms of severe West Nile virus illness include fever, headache, confusion or lethargy, decreased level of consciousness, stiff neck, sore muscles, weakness and rash. There is no specific treatment, rather the symptoms of the disease would be treated as required.
• West Nile virus can be transmitted by mosquitoes. It can affect people, animals and birds. The risk of people becoming ill from the West Nile virus continues to be very low in Manitoba.
• Tests on mosquito pools from Winnipeg and rural Manitoba have not yet detected the presence of the virus.
• A total of 24 birds in Manitoba have now tested positive for West Nile virus indicating the virus is present in many parts of Winnipeg and southern Manitoba.
• Manitobans can help by:
• reducing standing water around their property such as water that may collect in old tires, children’s toys, eavestroughs, wading pools or stagnant ponds, or under flowerpots;
• minimizing mosquito bites by wearing protective clothing, using mosquito repellent with DEET and reducing the amount of time spent outdoors during peak mosquito hours at dawn and dusk; and
• reporting dead birds only from the crow family which includes blue jays, ravens, magpies, grey jays and crows.
• Public information is available by calling Health Links at 788-8200 in Winnipeg or 1-888-315-9257 or checking the Manitoba Health Web site at: http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/wnv.

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