June 23, 2005
· As of June 21, one bird has tested positive and 79 birds have been submitted for testing for West Nile virus in Manitoba. The 2005 bird surveillance program began May 16.
· To date, there have been no human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) identified in Manitoba in 2005.
· Manitobans can help detect the arrival of WNV in their area by continuing to report dead crows, blue jays, magpies or ravens to Health Links-Info Santé at 788-8200 in Winnipeg or outside of Winnipeg toll-free at 1-888-315-9257. Links to pictures of these birds can be viewed under bird surveillance at http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/wnv.
· Testing birds from the crow family provides an early indication of West Nile virus in an area. Once testing has demonstrated the presence of WNV in a regional health authority, no further birds from that area will be required for testing.
· Most nuisance species of mosquitoes depend on wet conditions associated with frequent rainfall or flooding. Current mosquito surveillance shows that most of the mosquitoes in the provincial traps are nuisance mosquitoes.
· The mosquito species of primary interest for human risk for WNV, Culex tarsalis, requires hot weather to build up to high numbers. Culex tarsalis mosquitoes have been identified in provincial traps in every regional health authority in southern Manitoba this week and it is anticipated these numbers will increase in the coming weeks. At this time, no mosquito pools have tested positive for WNV.
· Weekly average trap counts of Culex tarsalis by regional health authority are available on the province’s West Nile virus website at http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/wnv.
· Recent larval surveillance indicates small numbers of Culex tarsalis larvae are starting to emerge in a few communities in southern Manitoba. Manitoba Health is in the process of advising participating municipalities in southern Manitoba to begin their Culex tarsalis larviciding programs.
· The risk of West Nile virus is expected to increase over the summer. At this time, the risk of human infection with WNV in Manitoba is considered low.
· Manitobans can reduce mosquito counts by emptying standing water that may collect in backyards, old tires, children's toys, pet bowls, wading pools, stagnant ponds or under flower pots.
· Manitobans can reduce the risk of mosquito bites by:
- wearing light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing;
- using appropriate mosquito repellent; and
- reducing the amount of time spent outdoors during peak mosquito hours between dusk and dawn.
· 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 will be updated weekly with surveillance data.
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