Mosquitoes infected with West Nile Virus found in these Manitoba areas
Mosquitoes infected with the West Nile Virus have been found in Manitoba.
On Thursday, the Province of Manitoba said six mosquito pools collected last week tested positive for the West Nile Virus (WNV). The pools were collected from Oakbank, Morris, East St. Paul, and Winnipeg.
"Despite the first detection of WNV activity this season, there are no plans to conduct adult mosquito control at this time," the province said in its weekly surveillance report.
There have been no positive WNV surveillance indicators in animals in Manitoba, and the province said there have been no reported cases in humans.
It said with the detection of the WNV positive mosquito pools, along with the hot and dry conditions – there is an elevated risk of exposure to the virus.
"As a result, Manitobans are encouraged to take appropriate precautions to minimize their risk while enjoying outdoor activities over the next few weeks."
The Culex tarsalis mosquito, which carries West Nile virus, has been increasing in Manitoba this summer, a provincial spokesperson told CTV News.
Local entomologist Taz Stuart said all it takes is one bite to become infected, and says the upcoming long weekend is one of the riskiest for people.
“This is the second and third generation of Culex tarsalis, so they could be infected or infective, meaning they can transmit through a dead-end host like a human,” he said.
Stuart said approximately 1 in 150 people bitten by a mosquito carrying West Nile virus will get a severe form of West Nile virus, which can lead to the development of encephalitis and meningitis, and even death in some cases.
The province said Manitobans should spend less time outside during dawn and dusk – the peak mosquito hours. Manitobans are encouraged to use mosquito repellant, and wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing with long sleeves and pant legs.
Homeowners should also make sure door and window screens are fitted tightly with no holes.
The province said anyone with concerns about the West Nile Virus should call their doctor or Health Links at 204-788-8200 in Winnipeg or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257.
This is a developing story. More to come.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
2 teens charged in Halifax homicide: police
Two teenagers have been charged with second-degree murder in connection to an alleged homicide near the Halifax Shopping Centre earlier this week.
'Deep ignorance': Calls for Manitoba trustee to resign sparked after comments about Indigenous people and reconciliation
A rural Manitoba school trustee is facing calls to resign over comments he made about Indigenous people and residential schools earlier this week.
ByteDance prefers TikTok shutdown in U.S. if legal options fail, Reuters sources say
TikTok owner ByteDance would prefer to shut down its loss-making app rather than sell it if the Chinese company exhausts all legal options to fight legislation to ban the platform from app stores in the U.S., four sources said.
12-year-old hippo in Japan raised as a male discovered to be a female
When Gen-chan arrived at a zoo in Japan in 2017, no one questioned whether the then-five-year-old hippopotamus was a boy. Seven years later, zoo staff made a surprising discovery: Gen-chan, now 12, was female.
Here's why Harvey Weinstein's New York rape conviction was tossed and what happens next
Here's what you need to know about why movie mogul Harvey Weinstein's rape conviction was thrown out and what happens next.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
Legendary hockey broadcaster Bob Cole dies at 90: CBC
Bob Cole, a welcome voice for Canadian hockey fans for a half-century, has died at the age of 90. Cole died Wednesday night in St. John's, N.L., surrounded by his family, his daughter, Megan Cole, told the CBC.