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
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it’s too late
She was lying in bed on a Thursday morning, thinking about the man she loved, hoping to win his freedom before time ran out.