FRANCAIS
September 04, 2003
WEST NILE VIRUS UPDATE #12
There is one new human case of West Nile virus in Manitoba, confirmed through blood donation testing by Canadian Blood Services.
The individual, a man in his forties from the Rural Municipality of Rhineland, has shown no symptoms of West Nile virus infection. His donation was withdrawn from the blood supply system and none of the components of this donation were transfused.
This brings the total number of confirmed cases to two and the total number of probable cases to five.
Four of these seven cases have been reported to Health Canada as West Nile virus neurological syndrome, which includes encephalitis, meningitis or other nervous system disorders. This is the more severe but less common form of this disease. It can be life-threatening and may result in long-term complications, especially for those over the age of 50 or with chronic medical conditions.
Two of these seven cases have been reported to Health Canada as West Nile virus fever, which is a mild illness and may include symptoms of fever, headache, sore muscles, fatigue and a rash. Full recovery is expected and it does not usually require medical care or hospitalization.
The blood donor case has been reported to Health Canada as an asymptomatic case of West Nile virus.
To date, 196 mosquito samples or pools have tested positive for West Nile virus, of which 171 are Culex tarsalis. New areas where positive mosquito pools have been identified are Brandon and Portage la Prairie.
The remaining samples are from locations where positive pools have been identified earlier this year: Winnipeg, Winkler, Virden, Steinbach, St. Andrews, West St. Paul, Selkirk, Russell, Killarney, Deloraine, Stony Mountain and Beausejour.
As of Sept. 3, 122 birds, 29 horses and 14 sentinel chickens have tested positive for West Nile virus.
Mosquito adulticiding has been carried out in Virden, Deloraine and Stony Mountain to reduce high numbers of infected Culex tarsalis mosquitoes.
The surveillance data shows the presence of the virus throughout most of Southern Manitoba and that the risk of contracting West Nile virus in Manitoba continues.
All Manitobans, especially those over the age of 50 or with chronic medical conditions or weakened immune systems, are advised to:
reduce the amount of time outdoors from dusk to dawn when Culex tarsalis mosquitoes are most active;
wear light-coloured, loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outside;
use insect repellent containing DEET; and
check that door and window screens fit tightly and are free of holes.
For more information, visit http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/wnv, call Health Links at 1-888-315-9257 or 788-8200 in Winnipeg.
- 30 -
RETURN