It’s mosquito season, and the first pests carrying West Nile Virus have been discovered in Winnipeg.
No cases of the disease in humans have been reported anywhere in Manitoba yet, but the province said the infected insects were discovered in a trap last week.
The risk of exposure to mosquitoes potentially carrying the virus will increase in the coming weeks if weather conditions remain warm and dry.
You can protect yourself from being infected by following standard mosquito safety practices: wearing loose, light-coloured clothing, spending less time outdoors between dusk and dawn and using mosquito repellent.
The province said it’s also a good idea to secure doors and windows with well-fitting screens and to ensure no standing water accumulates on your property.