FRANCAIS

July 03, 2003

As of 4 p.m. July 2, a total of seven birds have tested positive for West Nile virus in Manitoba:

• four crows (East St. Paul, West St. Paul, River East and Transcona) and one raven (St. James) in the Capital Region of Winnipeg;
• one magpie (Rural Municipality of Portage La Prairie) and one crow (Rural Municipality of Westbourne) both in the Central Region.

In addition to these regular updates, Manitoba Public Health will issue bulletins when the first bird with West Nile virus is confirmed in each of the five regional response team areas of the province. These include the Capital Region of Winnipeg, Central, Western, Eastern and Northern regions. For more information on these regions, visit:

http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/wnv/response.html.

• As of July 2, more than 450 birds have been tested for West Nile virus (WNv) in Manitoba. The bird surveillance program began May 1.
• There have been no human cases of West Nile virus diagnosed in Manitoba.
• Testing birds from the crow family provides an early indication of West Nile virus in mosquitoes. Manitobans can continue to help detect the arrival of West Nile virus in their area by reporting dead crows, blue jays, magpies or ravens to Health Links at 788-8200 in Winnipeg (outside of Winnipeg toll-free 1-888-315-9257).
• Once testing has demonstrated the presence of WNv in a specific area, further pickup and testing of birds in that area will be given a lower priority than birds found in areas where WNv has not yet been discovered.
• Links to pictures of birds from the crow family can be viewed under the topic of bird surveillance at http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/wnv.
• Handling and disposing of dead birds and small animals can be done safely. Health Links and the Manitoba Health West Nile virus Web site have further information on how to safely handle a dead bird or animal.

Remember, Manitobans can:

• reduce mosquitoes by emptying standing water that may collect in backyards, old tires, children's toys, pet bowls, wading pools or stagnant ponds, or under flower pots;
• reduce mosquito bites by wearing light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing, using mosquito repellent with DEET and reducing the amount of time spent outdoors during peak mosquito hours at dawn and dusk.

Public information about West Nile virus is available by calling Health Links at 788-8200 in Winnipeg or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257. Additional information is available on the Manitoba Health Web site at http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/wnv. As needed, bulletins will provide regular updates to this information.

- 30 -