Some Culex tarsalis mosquitoes infected with the virus have been caught in traps in southwest Saskatchewan.
No confirmed human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in the province. However, health officials are strongly encouraging residents to reduce the risk of mosquito bites by using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing when outdoors and reducing the amount of time spend outdoors between dusk and dawn.
Many people who get infected will have no symptoms or will only experience mild illness. Symptoms of the West Nile virus include fever, headaches and body aches. In more serious cases, the virus can result in neurological illness such as encephalitis — inflammation of the brain — which can have long-term complications.
Updated surveillance results, risk maps and weekly West Nile Culex tarsalis reports are posting every Friday on the Ministry of Health's website: www.health.gov.sk.ca/west-nile-virus. Additional information about protective measures and the virus are available at HealthLine Online at www.health.gov.sk.ca/healthline-online.
pcowan@leaderpost.canwest.com
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