We have entered the time of year when West Nile Virus becomes a concern in southern Manitoba.

Dr. Michael Routledge is Medical Officer of Health for Southern Health. He says generally that time of year is from now until the end of September.

(Culex Tarsalis mosquito)"The Culex mosquitoes in particular they like the warmer temperatures, where they are active," says Dr. Routledge. "So that tends to be this month."

According to the most recent surveillance statistics from Manitoba Health, there have been no confirmed human cases of West Nile Virus in 2019 in Manitoba. In fact, there has been only one confirmed trap in Manitoba with a mosquito carrying the virus. That trap was found in Boissevain.

Dr. Routledge says numbers are down for this time of year.

"Usually we see more infected mosquitoes," he says. "By and large, the indicators that we're seeing are suggesting less West Nile Virus activity than we typically see this time of year."

Dr. Routledge says medical professionals do not know why activity is down this year. He notes it could be a number of factors. First, he suggests West Nile Virus activity has been decreasing over the last number of years, since peaking about ten years ago. Dr. Routledge says cooler weather in spring may also have played a role.

But, just because there are no confirmed human cases this year, does not necessarily mean there is not someone today walking around with the virus. That is because Dr. Routledge says majority of people who have the virus show no symptoms. He adds a substantial number of people with the virus will have fairly mild symptoms such as a headache, fever or rash. More severe symptoms include a bad headache, confusion and weakness. Dr. Routledge says if you start to experience these warning signs, you should be seen by a physician.

In an effort to reduce the risk of being bitten by a Culex Tarsalis mosquito, Dr. Routledge suggests taking precautions between dusk and dawn. This includes using mosquito repellent, wearing long, light coloured clothing and eliminating standing water from your property which serve as breeding grounds.