WINNIPEG – The province is reporting there have been four positive cases of the West Nile virus found in humans this season.
There has also been one positive case found in horse. The latest results are from the surveillance period which ended on Sept. 19.
West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito borne virus that can cause severe illness including swelling of the brain and can sometimes result in long term complications and death.
In early September, the first human case was found after a Manitoba woman in her 50’s became infected.
According to health officials, she lives in the southern health region. She did not experience neurological symptoms and has not been hospitalized, the province said in a press release.
She is believed to have been exposed during the week of July 26. That’s the week after Manitoba health officials announced the first mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus had been found.
READ MORE: First West Nile Virus infected mosquito found in Manitoba
At that time health officials said the current risk for human exposure in the province is low.
There have also been 16 reported human cases in both Ontario and Quebec and 1 in Saskatchewan.
According to the province, there were 5 cases reported in 2014 and three in 2013. However, in 2012 there were 39 cases of human cases in Manitoba and in 2007 there were 587 people infected with West Nile Virus in the province.
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