Manitoba's authorities to administer mosquito pesticides in Winkler due to increased West Nile virus threat
In Manitoba, the province has announced that it will conduct mosquito spraying in the city of Winkler and its surrounding communities to mitigate the risk of West Nile virus transmission. The decision comes in response to elevated mosquito populations, particularly adult Culex species known to carry the virus.
According to recent reports, the risk for human exposure to West Nile virus is very high in Winkler and high in the Southern Health region. As of early August 2025, Manitoba has started to experience concerns related to West Nile virus due to increased adult mosquito activity. In response, the government has issued a ministerial order to begin spraying adult mosquitoes with DeltaGard 20EW insecticide.
The species being targeted for spraying is adult Culex tarsalis mosquitoes. The fogging will occur overnight during the specified dates, which include Friday and Saturday night, and next Monday and Tuesday. The extended zone for mosquito spraying includes the communities of Reinfeld, Chortitz, and Schanzenfeld, in addition to the city of Winkler.
While the general Manitoba government updates note increased mosquito activity and preventive spraying efforts, there are no direct public reports or bulletins naming Winkler as an affected area or confirming active outbreaks there. The first West Nile virus human case in Canada for 2025 was reported in early August, but the exact location was not specified in the sources.
The public is advised to take precautions to reduce the risk of West Nile virus infection. Recommended measures include avoiding outdoor activities during peak mosquito hours (dusk to dawn), wearing long sleeves and pants, using insect repellent containing DEET or other approved ingredients, and eliminating standing water around homes to reduce mosquito breeding sites. Residents are also encouraged to follow local public health advice on mosquito control measures such as spraying.
Despite the preventive measures, no human cases of West Nile virus have been confirmed in Manitoba this summer. However, the detection of West Nile virus in dead crows found in Northumberland County serves as a reminder of the ongoing risks associated with the virus.
In other news, the U.S. Air Force will deny retirement pay to long-serving transgender members, Mexico's president has ruled out the U.S. military entering to fight cartels, a 78-year-old cyclist crashed after an interaction with a motorcycle in Nanaimo, and Abbotsford police have unveiled a new crime-fighting tool. Elsewhere, Superman actor Dean Cain has stated that he is a member of ICE, a pilot project has been launched to study mosquitoes in Calgary parks, and Ghislaine Maxwell has been banned from training service puppies due to sex abuse crimes. JD Vance's security team raised the river water level for a family boating trip, and no significant updates were reported regarding the West Nile virus situation in other parts of Canada.
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