FRANCAIS

August 05, 2004

·         Mosquito surveillance in southern Manitoba indicates that Culex tarsalis, the mosquito that carries West Nile virus, continues to increase in numbers.

·         The risk of exposure to WNV in Manitoba increases as the number of infected Culex tarsalis mosquitoes increases.  In 2003, the majority of the human cases were exposed in the first two weeks of August.

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

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

-         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.

·         The average trap counts for Culex tarsalis in regional health authorities gathered during the week of July 25-31 are:  Assiniboine, 215; Brandon, 237; Central, 186; Interlake, eight; North Eastman, 127; Parkland, 62; South Eastman, 289; and Winnipeg, 115. 

·         Larviciding continues in several communities in southern Manitoba through the province’s cost-sharing program.

·         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.

·         People infected by the West Nile virus usually do not become ill.  Of those who do become ill, most have a mild illness including fever, headache and body ache.  Less frequently, the virus can cause encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain that can lead to death.  This is more likely to occur among older adults and people with chronic diseases and weakened immune systems.

·         Birds from the NOR-MAN Regional Health Authority, the Burntwood Regional Health Authority and the Churchill Regional Health Authority will continue to be considered for WNV testing to establish the presence of WNV in those areas.  The provincial WNV corvid surveillance program has established the presence of West Nile virus throughout southern Manitoba.  Therefore, no further birds will be picked up in southern Manitoba.

·         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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