The Manitoba Government has issued the area's second ministerial order to begin spraying for adult mosquitos.
The first, issued on July 31st, was for the City of Winkler and a 3km extended zone in the R.M. of Stanley.
The latest order, issued Thursday, August 8th, covers the Town of Altona and an approximately 3 km extended zone in the Municipality of Rhineland.
According to the province, the order was prompted by high numbers of adult culex tarsalis mosquitoes and evidence of mosquito infection with West Nile Virus. A government map posted online shows that during collection week 30, the average number of culex tarsalis mosquitoes collected in Altona was 1,017 and 2 positive pools were detected. At this time, no locally acquired human cases of West Nile have been confirmed in Manitoba.
Spraying in Altona and surrounding area is expected to begin Saturday, weather and temperature dependent, during evening and nighttime hours. Spraying will not take place if the temperature is expected to drop below 13 C, there is excessive wind or precipitation. Treatment times and area maps will be available at here. You can also keep an eye on PembinaValleyOnline as well as the Town and R.M.'s social media and web sites for treatment times and maps.
Crews will be using Deltagard 20EW, approved by Health Canada for use in 2017 and classified as a reduced-risk pesticide. When applied using ultra-low volume methods and as per label directions, the province says Deltagard 20EW is unlikely to affect human health. Click here for more information.
According to the province, individuals can minimize their exposure to the pesticide by taking the following precautions:
staying indoors during and immediately after spraying;
closing all doors and windows;
avoiding trucks while spraying is underway;
turning off fans and air conditioners or setting them at exhaust;
removing clothes and children's toys from outdoor areas;
covering swimming pool surfaces;
washing any household items or toys left outside before using them; and
ensuring homegrown fruits and vegetables are washed before eating.
While Manitobans are encouraged to enjoy warm weather outdoor activities, it is strongly recommended to reduce the risk of mosquito bites and potential exposure to the virus. Key prevention measures, as per the Province of Manitoba, include:
reducing the amount of time spent outdoors during peak mosquito hours between dusk and dawn;
using an appropriate mosquito repellent;
wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothing with long sleeves and pant legs;
maintaining door and window screens; and
cleaning and emptying yard items that collect water.
The province says the risk for potential human exposure to WNV at this time is high and this will likely continue during the historical high-risk period (mid-July to mid-August).
More information about West Nile virus, including prevention, symptoms, weekly average trap counts of Culex tarsalis mosquitoes, fact sheets, posters and information for municipalities and health-care providers, is available at www.gov.mb.ca/health/wnv/
Manitobans can also contact Health Links-Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or (toll-free) 1-888-315-9257 for more information.