FRANCAIS

August 12, 2002

Manitoba is announcing additional steps to continue to build on a strong response to the presence of the West Nile virus in the province.

"We have taken measured and thoughtful steps to provide Manitobans with useful information and ensure we are taking the appropriate steps to deal with the West Nile virus," said Health Minister Dave Chomiak.

The minister announced that:

• The province will cost share on a 75/25 basis with municipalities the costs of mosquito controls such as larviciding and fogging where West Nile virus has been detected.
• Additional people are being recruited to support bird pickups in rural areas of the province in support of ongoing surveillance efforts.
• A contract with the City of Winnipeg is funding staff to pick up birds from Winnipeg and the surrounding municipalities in the Capital Region.

• Information sessions are being held in co-operation with the Association of Manitoba Municipalities to provide municipalities with technical information in areas such as public health, insect control and animal health.

• Regional response teams will be established as required to provide municipalities with technical support.

• The provincial response team continues to meet and plan for further action.
• Ongoing surveillance for the detection of human cases continues. There have been no human cases of West Nile virus infection diagnosed in Manitoba.

The additional action builds on other steps already taken by the province. The province has provided support for mosquito surveillance in rural Manitoba from Manitoba Conservation’s Sustainable Development Innovations Fund. Information provided includes baseline data on numbers and types of mosquitoes which, in turn, will guide activities to deal with the virus.

Other steps have included:

• encouraging Manitobans to take steps to minimize the impact of mosquitoes by reducing standing water on their properties, wearing mosquito repellent with DEET, avoiding being outside at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active and wearing light coloured, long-sleeved clothing;
• providing public education materials including posters, pamphlets and advertisements to inform Manitobans about the West Nile virus; and
• facilitating the fogging of the City of Winnipeg.

"I’d like to congratulate Manitobans for their calm and considered response to the discovery of the virus in our province and the steps that many have taken to do their part in minimizing mosquitoes and reporting dead birds to help with surveillance efforts," said Chomiak.

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