Fogging continues in small agricultural area of northwest Winnipeg under Provincial West Nile Virus order for West St Paul

MEDIA RELEASE:

WINNIPEG August 1, 2006 - As announced on July 27, 2006, the Province of Manitoba ordered fogging for West Nile virus (Wnv) in the Municipality of West St Paul. The West St Paul West Nile virus Fogging Program extends into a small agricultural area of the North West Quadrant of Winnipeg.

The boundary for this agricultural area of Winnipeg is:

• Blackdale Road and Miller Road;
• east on Miller Road to Main Street;
• south on Main Street to Rossmore Avenue;
• west on Rossmore Avenue to the CPR rail Line;
• south on the CPR Rail Line to Murray Avenue;
• west on Murray Avenue to Pipeline Road;
• north on Pipeline Road to Toshack Road;
• east on Toshack Road to Moore Road;
• north on Moore Road to Grassmere Road;
• east on Grassmere Road to Blackdale Road;
• north on Blackdale Road to Miller Road.

Fogging will be conducted on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., weather permitting. Buffer zones will not be in effect during this West Nile virus Fogging Program. It is important to note that fogging will not occur if there is significant rainfall, if temperatures are below 13 degrees Celsius or wind speeds are not conducive for fogging.

This information is also available by calling the Bugline at 311 or by visiting the Web site at Winnipeg.ca/bugline.

The insecticide Malathion for ultra low volume (ULV) applications will be used. This insecticide has been approved for use in Canada by Health Canada (PMRA – Pest Management Regulatory Agency). Malathion will be used in accordance with federally-approved label directions by licensed pesticide applicators.

The delivery of the West Nile virus Program, which includes the monitoring of Culex tarsalis mosquitoes is a provincial responsibility. Weekly average trap counts of Culex tarsalis by regional health authority are available on the Province of Manitoba’s West Nile virus website at Gov.mb.ca/health/wnv

For more information on West Nile virus, visit Gov.mb.ca/health/wnv or call Health Links at 204-788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257.

Citizens are also reminded to take personal protection measures by:

• Reducing the time you spend outdoors between dusk and dawn. The peak mosquito hours are around dusk and dawn, but Culex tarsalis mosquitoes will also bite during the night.
• Wearing light-coloured, loose-fitting, long-sleeved tops and long pants when outside, especially between dusk and dawn.
• Applying insect repellent containing DEET, according to Health Canada Guidelines. (DEET is not recommended for children under the age of 6 months).
• Checking that door and window screens fit tightly and are free of holes

For additional information on West Nile virus and personal protection measures, please visit Gov.mb.ca/health/wnv/intro.html#protect