University News for July 26, 2010

The public is being encouraged to take extra precautions to avoid mosquito bites over the next couple of months to protect themselves from the risk of West Nile virus.

Warm wet weather through the spring and summer have contributed to higher mosquito populations this year.

Although Aedes vexans has accounted for over 90 percent of the adult mosquitoes collected, higher numbers of Culex tarsalis and Culex restuans, the species capable of carrying West Nile virus, are also reported.

Dr. Mahmood Iranpour, an adjunct professor with the University of Manitoba's Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, says the risk peaks at the end of summer in August and September.

Clip-Dr. Mahmood Iranpour-University of Manitoba:

Since 2003-2004 which the West Nile virus came to Canada we have had fluctuations of the number of cases from one year to another year.

For example in the last two years we haven't had that many cases of the West Nile virus and I think that's because we didn't have the vector.

As I remember there was not even any cases last year but this year, because we have the vectors around, I expect that we are going to have some cases of West Nile virus this year.

What is suggested actually for the people is first of all using the repellent to keep the mosquitoes away from themselves.

It's good to not be outside during the time that these two species are active, which is basically in the evening but if people want to enjoy the outside and some outside activity it's better to be in the protected area, under a screen or a net that protects them from these mosquitoes.

Dr. Iranpour says the province and the city of Winnipeg have done a very good job using both adulticide and larvicide to keep mosquito populations, especially those two species, at low numbers to prevent the transmission of disease.

For UniversityNews.Org, I'm Bruce Cochrane.

*University News is a presentation of the University of Manitoba's Faculty of Agricultural & Food Sciences