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Brandon – West Nile has arrived in Canada, three weeks earlier than expected, according to media reports Tuesday.

Gilles Brunette, 53, from Manitoba discovered he had the West Nile virus after giving blood to Canadian Blood Services.

“I gave blood on Tuesday and Wednesday I was told I had West Nile virus,” Brunette told CTV News.

Brunette who experieced “flu like” symptoms said he took tylenol and felt better.

West Nile virus is a virus mainly transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito.

Mosquitoes transmit the virus after becoming infected by feeding on the blood of birds which carry the virus.

Most people infected with the virus have no symptoms or they have flu-like symptoms. Sometimes though, the virus can cause severe illness, resulting in hospitalization and even death so it is important to know the symptoms of illness related to infection and how to minimize your risk, especially if virus activity is reported in an area near you.

The Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health in Manitoba reports the numbers of Culex tarsalis mosquitoes identified in southern Manitoba are higher than usual for this time of year. These types of mosquitoes are common carries of West Nile.

At this time of year, the risk of being bitten by a mosquito carrying West Nile virus is considered to be low but begins to increase. In 2006, the first identified human exposures occurred in mid- to late-June. To date, no human cases of West Nile virus have been identified in Manitoba in 2007.

Canadians can reduce the risk of mosquito bites by:
· reducing the amount of time spent outdoors during peak mosquito hours between dusk and dawn,
· using appropriate mosquito repellent, and
· maintaining door and window screens so that they fit tightly and are free of holes.

Canadians can reduce mosquitoes near their homes and in their communities by reducing standing water. To reduce the development ofCulex tarsalis mosquitoes:
· clean eavestroughs;
· at least once per week, empty bird baths and other items that might collect water;
· cover rain barrels with mosquito screening or maintain tight seals around downspouts; and
· dispose of old tires or other debris that collect water.