The first Culex Tarsalis mosquito samples infected with the West Nile Virus in 2010 have been found by the province's surveillance program. Manitoba Health reports the infected mosquitoes were collected during the week of July 4 from an adult mosquito trap in West St. Paul.

The numbers of Culex Tarsalis mosquitoes trapped during the week of July 4th increased throughout Southern Manitoba. Currently the mosquito numbers are highest in the Red River Valley and Southeast Manitoba, but the potential for human exposure to infected mosquitoes is present throughout Southern Manitoba. Preliminary trap information for the week of July 11 indicates the numbers of Culex Tarsalis mosquitoes have decreased slightly from the previous week.

To date, no human cases of west Nile virus have been identified in Manitoba this year.

The proportion of Culex Tarsalis mosquitoes collected in the traps compared to other mosquitoes is increasing. Weekly average trap counts of Culex Tarsalis by regional health authority are available on the province's West Nile virus website at www.gov.mb.ca/health/wnv.

The province offers a cost-shared larviciding program for municipalities and communities to take steps to help control Culex Tarsalis mosquitoes. To date this year, 55 communities are participating in the program.


~ Thursday, July 15th 2010 ~