Manitoba Health is reporting the death of a male in his 80s, a resident of the Interlake-Eastern Health Region, as a result of West Nile virus. The individual had West Nile virus neurological syndrome, a rare but more serious condition caused by the virus.
It is believed the individual was exposed to West Nile virus in the Interlake-Eastern Health Region during the first half of August. No additional information about this individual will be released to protect his personal health information.
Human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) were first reported in Manitoba in 2003. This is the first death reported since January 2008 and the eighth 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. 22, involving a woman in her 40s who experienced mild symptoms.
The most recent provincial surveillance report showed a significant decrease in the number of Culex tarsalis mosquitoes, which carry the West Nile virus. Although the risk for ongoing human exposures to WNV is minimal at this time of year, it is not zero. 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.
It is still important for Manitobans 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.
