FRANCAIS

August 12, 2004

·        Mosquito surveillance in southern Manitoba indicates that the activity of Culex tarsalis, the mosquito that carries West Nile virus, decreased in most regional health authorities during the week of Aug. 1 to 7. 

·        The average trap counts for Culex tarsalis in regional health authorities gathered during the week of Aug. 1 to 7 are:  Assiniboine, 284; Brandon, 84; Central, 39; Interlake, 10; North Eastman, four; Parkland, 11; South Eastman, 36; and Winnipeg, 68. 

·        The activity of Culex tarsalis as indicated by trap counts is affected by many factors including the number of mosquitoes in the area, temperature, humidity and wind speed.

·        Infected mosquitoes have been found in the following communities:  Winnipeg. Brandon. Souris, Deloraine, Killarney, West St. Paul and East St. Paul.  The infection rate of those mosquitoes remains low, in the range of one to two per 1,000 mosquitoes.

·        The risk of exposure to WNV in Manitoba increases as the number and activity of infected Culex tarsalis mosquitoes increases.  In 2003, the majority of the human cases were exposed during 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.

·        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 more serious illness (West Nile neurological syndrome) including encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain.  People with pre-exisiting medical conditions and older adults are more at risk for severe illness.  However, illness has occurred in all age groups.  Encephalitis can have serious complications.  These complications may include weakness, paralysis, confusion, coma or death.

·        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.  No further birds are required for testing from southern Manitoba.

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

·        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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