FRANCAIS

September 18, 2002

• Five more positive mosquito pools have been identified in Winkler (3) and in Winnipeg (2), bringing the total to 15 positive pools so far this year. These most recent pools of mosquitoes were collected August 26-27, 2002.

• Five more birds have tested positive for West Nile virus:

• crow in Portage la Prairie
• raven and a crow in Winnipeg
• magpie in the RM of Ritchot
• magpie in the RM of Tache

• Three sentinel chickens from the northeast sector of Winnipeg have tested presumptive positive for West Nile virus.

• Confirmation has been made on nine of the 14 pending horse results reported last week in Bulletin #26:

• RM of Wallace (2)
• RM of North Cypress (2)
• RM of Rossburn (1)
• RM of Tache (1)
• RM of Springfield (1)
• RM of Blanshard (1)
• RM of South Norfolk (1)

• The total number of confirmed positive horses in Manitoba is 96.

• The total number of confirmed positive birds from the crow family is 78.

• There have been no human cases of West Nile virus diagnosed in this province.

• The risk of illness for any individual remains low. New populations of mosquitoes are less likely to be infected at this time of year. However, Manitobans should continue to take steps to protect themselves.

• 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.

- 30 -