Health officials in Manitoba are looking into whether the death of a man in his 60s from the Interlake health region is linked to a West Nile infection.
The chief medical officer of health says an investigation is underway to determine if the virus played a role in the man's death.
If confirmed, it would be Manitoba's third West Nile related fatality this year.
The virus, contracted through mosquito bites, has also been potentially connected to three deaths in Saskatchewan. More than 640 cases have been reported in that province.
A total of 445 people have tested positive for West Nile in Manitoba this summer. Of these, 20 test results were identified by Canadian Blood Services routine screening. The donated blood units were discarded.
The medical officer says 90 positive test results for West Nile virus have been reported since last week.
"These new results mostly reflect exposures to infected mosquitoes before mid-August," the statement says.
The medical officer adds that even though mosquito activity may appear to be low, the risk of exposure to West Nile virus has not yet ended and infected mosquitoes continue to be present in most parts of southern Manitoba. Residents are advised to continue to take precautions, such as using mosquito repellent and reducing the amount of time spent outdoors in the early evening.
