As fogging for mosquitoes remains a topic of conversation in Brandon, several other Manitoba communities have received a ministerial order under the Environment Act to spray for adult mosquitoes due to the possible presence of West Nile Virus.
In a release, Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care said high temperatures across southern Manitoba have shortened the time required for West Nile virus to develop within infected Culex tarsalis mosquitoes and be transmitted to humans. The province is currently in the highest-risk period for human exposure, which historically occurs between July 15 and August 15 each year.
According to the province, surveillance data from last week showed high numbers of adult Culex tarsalis mosquitoes and evidence of infection with West Nile virus. In addition, mosquito trap counts exceeded the threshold for the province to begin adult mosquito control.
The communities who have received the order are:
- Carman, plus an approximate three-kilometre (km) radius extension into the Rural Municipality (RM) of Dufferin.
- Stonewall, plus an approximate three-km radius extension into the RM of Rockwood.
- RM of West St. Paul.
- Winkler, plus an approximate three-km radius extension into the RM of Stanley including Reinfeld, Chortitz and Schanzenfeld.
- Winnipeg neighbourhoods within an approximate three-km radius of:
- the intersection of Kenaston Boulevard and North Town Road,
- the intersection of King Edward Street and Old Commonwealth Path, and
- the intersection of the north Perimeter Highway and Provincial Trunk Highway 8.
Spraying is scheduled to begin as early as Friday, July 31, weather permitting.
The province added there have been no human cases of West Nile virus confirmed in Manitoba in 2026.
