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
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
B.C. theatre to pay $55K to neurodivergent actor in discrimination case
British Columbia's human rights tribunal has awarded a neurodigergent actor, who was diagnosed with sensory and learning disorders, more than $55,000 after finding that a Kelowna theatre company discriminated against him because of his disabilities.
Who's responsible for regulating cannabis stores operating under the sovereignty banner?
It's not quite clear who is supposed to be regulating so-called sovereign cannabis stores or even ensure they're benefiting Indigenous communities.