A Manitoba woman in her 50s has the first human case of West Nile Virus this year.
Manitoba Health says the woman lives in the Southern Health–Santé Sud region and did no experience neurological symptoms and was not hospitalized.
It’s believed the woman was exposed during the week of July 26. The investigation is ongoing.
The main carrier of the virus in the province is the Culex tarsalis mosquito. The first sampling of mosquitoes carrying West Nile were discovered the week of July 12.
Health officials say the current risk for human exposure is estimated to be low.
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.
