Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living said its mosquito surveillance program has identified the first mosquito samples infected with West Nile virus.
Infected mosquitos were collected the week of July 20 from traps in Altona, West St. Paul and Winkler.
According to the Manitoba government, most of the mosquitos collected to date have been nuisance species, which do not transmit the virus.
“At this time, no human cases of West Nile virus have been identified in Manitoba,” they said, in a release.
Although there have been no cases, numbers of the species of mosquitos that potentially carry West Nile virus are increasing.
The province said that people living in southern Manitoba are at risk of exposure to infected mosquitos. The risk will increase over the coming weeks, especially if warm, dry conditions continue. This climate is favourable for the development and activity of the mosquitos.
“There are currently no orders for adult mosquito control in Altona, West St. Paul, Winkler or elsewhere in the province,” the province said.
Manitobans can reduce the risk of mosquito bites and exposure to West Nile virus by wearing light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing, using mosquito repellent and reducing the time spent outdoors during peak mosquito hours between dusk and dawn.
The province also said people can reduce the number of mosquitos around their homes by getting rid of standing water. Cleaning eavestroughs, emptying bird baths and ensuring rain barrels are covered with mosquito screening or are tightly sealed around the downspout are a few things homeowners can do to reduce mosquito activity around the home.
For more information about the West Nile virus and weekly average trap counts, head to the Government of Manitoba’s website.
