Released on August 26, 2003
There are 15 new probable and confirmed human cases of clinical illness due to West Nile Virus in Saskatchewan. One person from the Cypress Regional Health Authority has been diagnosed with West Nile Neurological Syndrome; the other fourteen are presenting the milder symptoms of probable West Nile Fever.This brings the total number of probable and confirmed incidences of West Nile Virus in Saskatchewan to 43.
"So far the majority of cases are mild or moderate West Nile Fever," Dr. Eric Young, Saskatchewan's Deputy Chief Medical Health Officer said. "However, there are a small number of people who have developed the more serious form of the disease."
"We are monitoring the situation, and continue to work closely with Health Canada and regional public health officials to investigate West Nile activity in the province," Young said.
Mosquito numbers remain low across the province; however, there is a higher proportion of the Culex Tarsalis species, the mosquito that most often carries West Nile.
It is as important as ever for Saskatchewan residents to protect themselves from being bitten by a mosquito. Personal protection measures include using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when mosquitoes are active, and removing mosquito breeding grounds, such as debris and standing water, around the house and yard.
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| Mark Rathwell Health Regina Phone: 787-4083 |