A Winnipeg-area woman in her 40s has the first human case of West Nile virus this year, Manitoba Health confirmed on Thursday.
The province says the woman lives in the Winnipeg Health Region and has reported mild symptoms to date. It’s believed she contracted the virus earlier this summer.
The virus is spread by Culex tarsalis mosquitoes, which have increased in population in the evening hours. As days become shorter, there is a higher risk of the virus being spread as mosquito activity also increases.
Manitobans can 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 human cases of the virus, including age, gender, health region of residence and likeliest area of exposure, will be posted on the province’s website as it becomes available.
