The Office of the Chief Provincial Public Health Officer encourages Manitobans to take advantage of spring and summer by enjoying outdoor activities, increasing physical activity and improving their health.
However, Manitobans are reminded that exposure to some infectious diseases occurs through contact with the environment, more often in the spring and summer. These diseases include West Nile virus, Lyme disease, E. coli infections, rabies, hantavirus and blastomycosis.
Preparations for West Nile virus season include reducing standing water around homes and reducing exposure to mosquitoes when there is a risk for exposure to West Nile virus. More information about West Nile virus is available at www.gov.mb.ca/health/wnv.
Manitobans can also take precautions to avoid contact with blacklegged (deer) ticks to reduce their risk of Lyme disease. Further information on Lyme disease is available from Manitoba Health at www.gov.mb.ca/health/lyme/.
Precautions to avoid E. coli infections include using proper food-handling precautions and testing wells regularly. Information on E. coli is available at www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/ecolifs.html.
Manitobans can also vaccinate pets and avoid handling wildlife to reduce the risk of rabies. More information on rabies is available at www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/fs/rabies.pdf.
Steps to reduce the risk of hantavirus infections includes reducing exposure to dust from mice droppings. More information on hantavirus is available at www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/fs/Hantavirusfs.pdf.
Manitobans are also encouraged to be aware of the risk for exposure to blastomycosis from fungal spores found in soil in the risk areas. For more information, visit www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/fs/blastomycosis.pdf.
Manitobans are also reminded to be safe when biking, swimming and boating. Information on injury prevention is available at www.gov.mb.ca/healthyliving/hlp/injury/.
For additional information, Manitobans can also visit their local public health office or phone Health Links-Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free).
