FRANCAIS

August 13, 2002

• Two mosquito pools in Winnipeg have tested positive for the West Nile virus. One is located in north Winnipeg and one in south Winnipeg. Culex tarsalis, a type of mosquito, has tested positive for the virus. This type of mosquito makes up only a small proportion of Manitoba’s mosquito population. The test confirms that the virus is present in this type of mosquito in Winnipeg.
• At this time, no additional mosquito controls are being undertaken to address the West Nile virus in the city. At this point in the summer season, the Culex tarsalis is now moving into a non-biting stage to prepare for the fall and winter seasons.
• The majority of mosquitoes found in Manitoba are the Aedes vexans species of mosquito. To date, tests on this type of mosquito have been negative for the West Nile virus.
• In general, mosquito numbers are falling throughout the province. Mosquito counts are expected to continue to drop as the fall approaches.
• Two additional birds have tested positive for the West Nile virus in Manitoba:
• Winnipeg – crow
• Stonewall – crow
• A total of 29 birds in Manitoba have now tested positive for West Nile virus, indicating the virus is present among mosquitoes in many parts of Winnipeg and southern Manitoba.
• Surveillance efforts of birds and mosquitoes will continue to provide ongoing information about the West Nile virus.
• The risk of people becoming ill with the virus remains low. Manitobans are still encouraged to:
• minimize mosquito bites by fixing screens, wearing protective clothing, using mosquito repellent with DEET and reducing the amount of time spent outdoors during peak mosquito hours at dawn and dusk;
• reduce 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 flower pots; and
• continue to report 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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