May 04, 2005

·         The Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health is announcing the beginning of the province’s 2005 West Nile Virus Program. As in past years, the program will begin with the surveillance of birds including crows, blue jays, magpies and ravens. These birds provide an early indication of the presence of West Nile virus (WNV) in an area.

·         The bird surveillance portion of the program will begin on May 16, 2005. The public will be asked to report dead crows, blue jays, magpies and ravens to Health Links/Info Santé in Winnipeg at 788-8200 or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257.

·         If appropriate, arrangements will be made to pick up birds. Not all birds reported by the public will be collected. If a reported bird is not needed for testing, Health Links/Info Santé will provide information on how to appropriately dispose of the bird.

·         In 2004, the first positive bird in Manitoba was detected on June 19.

·         Manitobans are advised to prepare for mosquito season by reducing standing water around their homes. This includes:

-        regularly cleaning and emptying eavestroughs, bird baths and other items that might collect water;

-        ensuring rain barrels are covered with mosquito screening or are tightly sealed around the down spout; and

-        making sure yards are clear of old tires or other debris that collect water.

·         At this time of year, the risk of being bitten by a mosquito carrying WNV is considered extremely low. Depending on weather conditions, Culex tarsalis (the primary mosquito responsible for transmitting WNV to humans) does not usually begin to appear until mid- to late-June.

·         Surveillance in 2005 will also include mapping of potential larval habitats, sampling for Culex tarsalis larvae, adult mosquito surveillance and horse surveillance. Human cases are reportable to Manitoba Health by physicians and laboratories, and are tracked as a part of West Nile virus surveillance.

·         As in previous years, a 75 per cent provincial - 25 per cent municipal cost-shared funding program for larviciding is in place.

·         Updated information on the risk of WNV will be provided to the public throughout the summer. The risk of WNV varies from year to year based on a number of factors including temperature and precipitation.

·         In 2004, there were three human cases of WNV identified in Manitoba: one case of West Nile virus neurological syndrome and two cases of West Nile virus fever. In 2003, there were 142 human cases, with 35 cases of West Nile virus neurological syndrome including
two deaths.

·         WNV pamphlets will be available in the next few weeks at local public health offices. For more information about WNV, contact Health Links/Info Santé. Please also see the Manitoba Health website at http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/wnv.

·         WNV updates and bulletins will be issued as necessary. Manitobans are encouraged to check the WNV website for information.

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