FRANCAIS

July 25, 2004

·         Manitoba’s mosquito surveillance program has identified the second Culex tarsalis WNV positive mosquito collection in Manitoba in 2004.

·         A sample collected from West St. Paul indicates a small proportion of Culex tarsalis mosquitoes are infected at this time. During the week of July 18, the average weekly Culex tarsalis count in West St. Paul was 311.

·         It is anticipated WNV will be detected in mosquito samples in additional communities over the next few weeks. Testing of mosquitoes for West Nile virus is ongoing.

·         At this time, it is important to take personal protective precautions against mosquitoes and reduce standing water around your home.

·         Mosquito larviciding will help reduce the number of Culex tarsalis mosquitoes. West St. Paul is one of a number of communities that has been larviciding through the cost-sharing program with the province’s West Nile virus program. Larviciding efforts have been enhanced in West St. Paul to locate any additional sources of standing water.

·         Culex tarsalis counts and infection rates are being closely monitored. The public will be notified if adult mosquito control activities are planned.

·         As we enter the later part of July, and with the identification of increasing numbers of Culex tarsalis mosquitoes and infected mosquito samples, the risk of exposure to WNV in Manitoba is increasing. In 2003, the majority of the human cases were exposed in the first two weeks of August.

·         To reduce the risk of West Nile virus infection, Manitobans can protect themselves against mosquito bites. This includes:

- wearing light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing with long sleeves and long pants;

- using mosquito repellent containing DEET;

- reducing the amount of time spent outdoors during peak mosquito hours between dusk and dawn; and

- keeping mosquitoes out of indoor spaces by checking door and window screens to make sure they fit tightly and are    free of holes.

·         Manitobans can reduce the number of mosquitoes by emptying standing water that may collect in backyards, old tires, children’s toys, pet bowls, wading pools or stagnant ponds, eaves troughs, under flowerpots, etc.

·         Public information about West Nile virus is available by calling Health Links-Info Santé at 788-8200 in Winnipeg, or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257. Additional information is available on the Manitoba Health website at:  http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/wnv, which is updated with surveillance data weekly.

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