CULEX TARSALIS MOSQUITOES POSITIVE FOR WEST NILE VIRUS

The province's first West Nile Virus-positive Culex tarsalis mosquitoes have been identified in the Estevan area. Saskatchewan Health is reminding people to protect themselves against mosquitoes this long weekend and throughout the summer.

"Conditions have created higher-than-average numbers of Culex mosquitoes this year," Provincial West Nile co-ordinator entomologist Phil Curry said. "Although the positive pool has been detected earlier than in previous years, the risk of becoming infected with West Nile Virus remains low. This is expected to increase in the coming weeks."

Culex tarsalis mosquitoes carry West Nile Virus in Saskatchewan and are most active during late June, July and August. The risk of West Nile Virus varies from year to year, depending on the mosquito population.

Saskatchewan Health monitors mosquito populations throughout the summer, posting surveillance results online at www.health.gov.sk.ca.

Saskatchewan residents are asked to take precautions whenever they are outdoor to use repellent, wear light-coloured clothes with long sleeves and pants, and limit the time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn. Reduce mosquito habitats by eliminating standing water and clearing shady, protected places where mosquitoes breed and rest.

Most people who become infected with West Nile Virus experience no symptoms or only mild illness (fever, headaches, body aches). However, the virus can result in serious neurological illness such as encephalitis (inflamation of the brain) which can have long-term complications and even cause death.

In 2006, there were 20 cases of West Nile Virus in Saskatchewan, including two severe cases with West Nile neurological syndrome. No deaths were attributed to West Nile Virus. That is less than the 60 reported cases and three deaths in 2005 and a significant reduction since 2003 in which there were 947 human cases and seven deaths.

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For more information, contact:

Joan Petrie
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: jpetrie@health.gov.sk.ca