Mosquitoes with West Nile virus found in several Manitoba communities prompting warning
The province is cautioning Manitobans to protect themselves against West Nile virus this summer.
The warning comes after mosquitoes infected with the virus were found in several communities throughout Manitoba.
John Hughes knows first hand the impact West Nile virus can have.
In 2016, a mosquito bite changed his life. He was rushed to hospital, and it was determined he had contracted the virus.
"I was in a coma for approximately four months, and then ICU for about six months, and then I went to rehab," Hughes recalled.
Hughes now uses a wheelchair, as he lost most of the strength in his upper body and needs a lot of help around the house.
"I was a pretty active guy before," Said Hughes.
"I worked full time, I was involved in municipal politics, I was a councillor and a Reeve at the time."
On Thursday, the Government of Manitoba put out a tweet reminding all Manitobans to be aware of West Nile after mosquitos infected with the virus were found in East St. Paul, Morris, Oakbank, and Winnipeg.
In a statement to CTV News, a spokesperson for the province said:
"The mosquitoes in question were collected last week as part of Manitoba health's West Nile Virus surveillance program."
"The mosquito that carries West Nile Virus, Culex tarsalis, has been increasing in numbers throughout the summer."
The province said to reduce your chances of contracting West Nile virus, apply an appropriate insect repellent, wear light clothing with long sleeves and pant legs, and reduce time spent outside between dusk and dawn.
"What people should be aware of, (Culex) tarsalis is a very sneaky biter," said Taz Stuart, a local entomologist.
He said the long weekend is one of the riskiest times of the year as it relates to West Nile virus.
"This is the second and third generation of Culex tarsalis, so they could be infected or infective, meaning they can transmit the virus to a dead-end host like a human."
Stuart said Culex tarsalis numbers are on the rise, and in a few weeks, we could see humans contracting the West Nile Virus.
Hughes said Manitobans should be mindful of mosquitoes in the province. He said his outcome could have been worse.
"There was another person with West Nile in the hospital with me that passed away. So I'm sort of in the middle of the road for survival of West Nile."
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.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
RCMP officers had no legal authority to enter man's home, make arrest: B.C. court
A B.C. man has been found not guilty of assaulting two RCMP officers – with the court finding he was resisting an "unlawful entry and arrest" in his home before he was tasered, taken down and hauled away in handcuffs.
'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.
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.