September 29, 2016
West Nile Virus Update #3
Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living is reporting the death of a female in her 70s who tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV) after passing away. The woman, who was a resident of the Southern Health–Santé-Sud region, had pre-existing health conditions.
It is believed the individual was exposed to WNV in the Southern Health–Santé-Sud region in mid-August. No additional information about this individual will be released to protect her personal health information and to ensure that the family’s privacy is protected.
Human cases of WNV were first reported in Manitoba in 2003. This is the first death reported since September 2013, and the ninth death since the province began collecting this information.
The province previously reported this year’s first human case of West Nile virus infection on Aug. 12. With shorter days and cooler temperatures, mosquitoes are more likely to bite late in the afternoon and early in the evening. There will continue to be a risk of exposure to WNV until the weather becomes colder or until the first hard frost.
Manitobans are encouraged to continue using personal protection measures, particularly on warm autumn days, to reduce the risk of mosquito bites by:
• reducing the amount of time spent outdoors during peak mosquito hours;
• using appropriate mosquito repellent;
• wearing light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing; and
• maintaining door and window screens so they fit tightly and are free of holes.
Additional surveillance data and other information on West Nile Virus in Manitoba is provided at www.gov.mb.ca/health/wnv. Manitobans may also contact Health Links–Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or 1 888 315-9257 (toll-free) for more information.
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