September 04, 2002
WEST NILE VIRUS UPDATE - UPDATE #22
Ten more horses have tested positive with the West Nile virus bringing the total number of horses with the virus to 36. The horses with the virus are located in the rural municipalities of Clanwilliam, Glenwood, Whitewater, Morton, Lorne, Tache, South Norfolk, Stanley, Shoal Lake and Dufferin.
Eight additional crows have also tested positive for the birds bringing the total number of birds from the crow family that have tested positive for West Nile to 64 in Manitoba. Three crows were found in the City of Portage la Prairie and one in each of the rural municipalities of Rockwood, West St. Paul, Selkirk, Cornwallis and Sifton.
Previous presumptive positive crows in the rural municipalities of Victoria Beach and Mossey River have been confirmed as positive.
Three more positive mosquito pools have been identified in Winnipeg, Winkler and the RM of Elton. A total of five mosquito pools have been identified this year so far.
Domestic ducks from the RM of Dufferin have tested presumptive positive for the virus. We are awaiting confirmatory results.
The virus has also been found in geese, sentinel chickens and mosquito pools. There have been no cases of West Nile virus diagnosed among people in this province.
West Nile virus is carried by mosquitoes. Hunters and others who go into the field while mosquitoes are active are encouraged to take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
The risk of West Nile virus transmission from handling wild animals is considered extremely low. Hunters are encouraged to take the usual precautions when handling, cleaning and cooking game birds and animals including wearing rubber gloves, hand washing and thorough cooking.
Surveillance shows that the virus has been found throughout most of southern Manitoba and supports the recommendation that Manitobans should continue to take steps to protect themselves and minimize the potential for mosquito bites particularly in the evening (dusk) when it is still warm from the day and mosquitoes are more active.
Manitobans can 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.
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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