September 23, 2004

·         Mosquito surveillance in southern Manitoba during the week ending Sept. 18 indicates that the activity of Culex tarsalis, the main mosquito species that carries West Nile virus in Manitoba, remains very low.  Aedes vexans, a nuisance mosquito species, makes up the vast majority of mosquitoes identified in the traps in southern Manitoba.  

·         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.

·         Based on recent 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 ended the week of Sept. 10 in most communities.  If weather conditions are favourable, monitoring of adult mosquitoes will occur in some communities in southern Manitoba.

·        Corvid surveillance in northern Manitoba will end on Sept. 30. 

·         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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