FRANCAIS

July 04, 2003

• Birds in two new areas of the province have been identified as positive for West Nile virus (WNv). Birds from the crow family found in Springfield (Eastern area) and Killarney and Deloraine (Western area) have been confirmed as positive for WNv.

• Manitoba Public Health issues bulletins when the first bird with West Nile virus is confirmed in each of five regional response team areas of the province. Positive birds have been identified in all areas but the North. For more information on these areas, visit: http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/wnv/response.html.

• As of 4 p.m. July 4, a total of 19 birds have tested positive for WNv. Twelve of these have been reported since the last weekly update.. Nine of these 12 were found in areas that had previously recorded positive birds. As of July 4, more than 470 birds have been tested for WNv. 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 near the location of a found dead bird. Manitobans in Winnipeg and rural Manitoba 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 at 1-888-315-9257).

• Once testing has demonstrated the presence of WNv in a specific municipality, further pickup and testing of birds in that municipality will be given a lower priority than birds found in municipalities 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; and
• 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. Weekly updates will provide the latest information.

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