Winkler Battles Rising West Nile Risk with Mosquito Spraying

Province Deploys Insecticide as Insect Populations Surge

Winkler, Manitoba, is set to receive overnight mosquito spraying this week as provincial health officials report a “very high” risk of West Nile Virus (WNV) exposure in the region. The initiative targets adult mosquitoes that can transmit the potentially serious illness.

Intensified Control Measures Underway

The province confirmed that spraying operations using DeltaGard 20EW are scheduled to commence Friday night, weather permitting, in Winkler and a three-kilometer radius encompassing nearby communities like Reinfeld, Chortitz, and Schanzenfeld. A second spraying session is planned for Monday night into Tuesday.

Ideal Conditions Fueling Mosquito Activity

Public health authorities attribute the heightened mosquito presence and WNV risk to recent warm and humid weather patterns, which are highly conducive to the breeding of Culex tarsalis mosquitoes, the primary carriers of the virus.

“The risk for potential human exposure to WNV at this time is high in the Southern Health-Santé Sud region, and is considered very high in Winkler and surrounding area.”

—Provincial Health Officials

This elevated risk is expected to persist through mid-August, a period historically associated with peak WNV transmission. As of Thursday, no locally acquired human cases of West Nile virus had been confirmed in Manitoba.

Reducing Personal Exposure

Residents engaging in outdoor activities in and around Winkler, as well as other parts of southern Manitoba, are urged to take precautions. These include minimizing time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active, and utilizing effective mosquito repellents.

The insecticide, DeltaGard 20EW, is categorized as a reduced-risk pesticide. When applied via ultra-low volume methods, it is not anticipated to pose a significant risk to human health.

Understanding West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus is a serious mosquito-borne pathogen that can lead to severe neurological conditions such as encephalitis, or brain swelling. In some instances, it can cause long-term health complications or prove fatal. A single bite from an infected mosquito is sufficient to contract the virus.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 80% of people infected with WNV do not develop any symptoms, but about 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. Approximately 1 in 150 people infected develop a serious, sometimes fatal, neurological illness (CDC).

Further Information Available Online

Detailed information regarding spraying schedules and area maps can be found on the provincial government’s website:

gov.mb.ca/health/wnv/control.html