West Nile skeeters in Headingley

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This article was published 21/07/2022 (1324 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Mosquitoes that carry the West Nile virus have been detected in Manitoba.

Manitoba Health reported that Culex tarsalis mosquitoes were collected from the Rural Municipality of Headingley last week. It’s the first mosquito pool that has tested positive for the dreaded virus in Manitoba this season.

No confirmed human cases of West Nile virus have been identified in Manitoba yet this year.

While most people who are infected will develop mild or no symptoms, some can develop severe symptoms that can result in hospital stays and even death, the province said.

Recovery from a West Nile virus infection can take months or years.

The risk of exposure is low but likely to increase in the coming weeks, Manitoba Health said. July and August are the highest risk period for infection, and it takes just a single bite from an infected mosquito to contract West Nile.

The province is advising people to reduce the amount of time spent outdoors during peak mosquito hours between dusk and dawn, use mosquito repellent, wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing with long sleeves and pant legs, maintain door and window screens, and clean and empty yard items that collect water.

Manitoba recorded 45 cases of West Nile between 2017 and 2021. Nine people were hospitalized and four required intensive care.

—Staff