FRANCAIS
September 25, 2003
WEST NILE VIRUS UPDATE #14
Twenty-seven more Manitobans have tested positive for West Nile virus. This brings the total number of West Nile human cases to 110--four confirmed and 106 probable.
Six of the new cases are individuals living inside Winnipeg, while 21 of the new cases reside in southern Manitoba, from the international border to the area north of Riding Mountain National Park.
Of the 110 cases, 19 reside in Winnipeg and 91 reside outside of Winnipeg. In Manitoba, there are 24 cases of West Nile neurological syndrome, 50 cases of West Nile fever, one asymptomatic blood donor and 35 cases have yet to be classified.
In Winnipeg, there are five cases of West Nile neurological syndrome, six cases of West Nile fever and eight cases have yet to be classified.
Outside Winnipeg, there are 19 cases of West Nile neurological syndrome, 44 cases of West Nile fever, one asymptomatic blood donor and 27 cases have yet to be classified. One death has been attributed to West Nile virus.
More information on Manitoba cases of West Nile virus is available on the Manitoba Health West Nile virus Web site at http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/wnv/stats.html.
To date, 259 mosquito samples have tested positive for West Nile virus, of which 239 are Culex tarsalis. Positive mosquito samples have been identified in Winnipeg, Winkler, Virden, Steinbach, St. Andrews, West St. Paul, Selkirk, Russell, Killarney, Boissevain, Deloraine, Stony Mountain, Brandon, Portage la Prairie and Beausejour.
As of Sept. 25, 133 birds, 46 horses and 22 sentinel chickens have tested positive for West Nile virus.
Mosquito and corvid surveillance will end on Sept. 30. Human, horse and sentinel chicken surveillance will continue.
Although mosquito counts have been low, there are still infected mosquitoes in southern Manitoba that may be active, particularly in warmer weather. At this time of year, mosquitoes are more active outdoors in the late afternoon and early evening. Personal protection is advised at any time when mosquito activity is noticed, especially for those over the age of 50, or with chronic medical conditions or weakened immune systems.
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 West Nile virus Web site at http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/wnv.
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