24°c Partly cloudy
18°c Cloudy periods
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
West Nile virus flare should decline as diseased mosquitoes decrease
The number of confirmed cases of West Nile virus in Manitoba more than doubled this past week, but the good news is the worst of the disease is likely over.
So far this summer, 20 Manitobans have been diagnosed with the illness, which is spread by mosquitoes, the Health Department reported on Friday. That compares with a total of nine cases a week earlier.
But fewer diseased mosquitoes have been showing up recently in provincial traps, a sign the disease is on the decline in Manitoba.
The 11 new West Nile cases resulted from mosquito bites that occurred two to three weeks ago, officials say. Only the Culex tarsalis mosquito -- smaller than most breeds of the pest -- is known to carry the virus.
Meanwhile, a Winnipeg man who was reportedly seriously ill with West Nile last week has been released from hospital, a spokeswoman for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority said Friday.
The man, in his 50s, had come down with the severe neurological syndrome form of West Nile. Hospital authorities refused to release more details of the man's case, citing privacy legislation.
None of the 11 new cases diagnosed this past week was of this most serious form of the disease, officials said.
This year's outbreak of West Nile is the most severe in the province since 2007, when there were 587 reported cases of the disease. That year, four Manitobans died of the virus.
Only five Winnipeggers have been diagnosed with West Nile so far. The remainder have been scattered throughout southern Manitoba. Those who have contracted the disease so far have ranged in age from their 20s to their 60s.
Fourteen Manitobans have been diagnosed with the milder non-neurological syndrome West Nile, while five cases remain unclassified.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 1, 2012 A12
Fact Check
Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.
More Local
- Back to Top
- Return to Local
More Local
(1 of 30 articles for today)
MP Glover files new version of disputed 2011 election expenses
3:56 PM 0View Related
Poll
Most Popular Local
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- Province blows off wind megawatt goal
- City-wide average mosquito count drops
- Winnipeg man given 2-year sentence for coma-inducing 'sucker punch'
- Known as kind, outgoing men
- Committee wants report on free replacement for garbage, recycling carts
- Poolside feeding prompts eviction
- Man convicted of drunk driving in Henderson pile-up
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Poolside feeding prompts eviction
- Stoppage of play off the field
- Game-day planning a must
- No mad dash for concessions
- Kenyan wins Manitoba Marathon
- Traffic heavy as Bomber fans flock to U of M
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- St. Norbert's hopping
- Father blasts 'horrific' movie
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Car in deadly crash stolen?
- UPDATE: Now with FAQ: Keeping the e-party going without the party-crashers
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Daycare provider charged with abandonment
- Poolside feeding prompts eviction
- Two people killed in crash north of Winnipeg
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Province blows off wind megawatt goal
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Strong may they run: Manitobans reflect on that fateful day in Boston
- At 55, I'm wise to what's real in life
- City-wide average mosquito count drops
- Mountie hospitalized, dog euthanized after crash near Saskatoon
- Killer 'should stay in prison'
- Known as kind, outgoing men
- Winnipeg man given 2-year sentence for coma-inducing 'sucker punch'
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Doctors blamed for death
- App could give Winnipeggers chance to report bad parking, get paid
- $110-K worth of nickel plates stolen from Thompson mine
- A day in the life of 13,380 Manitoba Marathon participants
- Stoppage of play off the field
- Bomber fans wowed by new stadium
- Strong may they run: Manitobans reflect on that fateful day in Boston
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Father blasts 'horrific' movie
- Teachers support adding sexual-orientation themes to all curricula
- The crime fighter's revolution
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Car in deadly crash stolen?
- Fishing for fashion
- City's first urban reserve born
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.