FRANCAIS

September 09, 2004

·        Current mosquito surveillance in southern Manitoba indicates that the activity of Culex tarsalis, the main mosquito species that carries West Nile virus in Manitoba, remained very low in all regional health authorities during the week of Aug. 29 to Sept. 4.

·        The average trap counts for Culex tarsalis in regional health authorities gathered during the week of Aug. 29 to Sept. 4 were: Assiniboine, none; Brandon, one; Central, none; Interlake, none; North Eastman, none; Parkland, none; South Eastman, none; and Winnipeg, one. All Culex mosquitoes trapped during the week of Aug. 29 to Sept. 4 tested negative for West Nile virus.

·        No additional human cases of West Nile virus have been identified since the last case was announced on Sept. 3. A total of three human cases of West Nile virus infection have been identified so far this year in Manitoba. One individual has been reported as a probable case of West Nile neurological syndrome while two individuals have been reported as probable cases of West Nile fever.

·        While it is anticipated that additional human cases of WNV may be identified in Manitoba this season, it is likely that exposure to the virus in any newly identified cases will likely have occurred in late July or early August.

·        Based on mosquito surveillance, the time of year and the life cycle of the Culex tarsalis mosquito, the current risk of becoming infected with West Nile virus in Manitoba is considered very low

·        Routine trapping for adult mosquitoes will end this week.

·        Bird surveillance in northern Manitoba continues.

·        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.

- 30 -