Zika cases rise in Manitoba but risk remains 'incredibly low,' says public health
The number of people infected with Zika virus has increased in Manitoba but the public health risk remains as close to zero as possible, says the provincial medical officer of health for communicable diseases.
Dr. Richard Rusk says there are five people in Manitoba with the mosquito-borne illness, up from just two in April. In all instances, the Zika virus was contracted by Manitobans travelling outside Canada, he said.
"In reality this is a very low risk disease for Manitobans," said Rusk.
"In reality the risk is incredibly low … Obviously nothing is ever zero but close to zero."
As of Thursday, the Public Health Agency of Canada reported 232 cases of Zika in Canada, all of which were acquired in other countries. Additionally in Canada there are two cases of Zika transmitted through sex and three cases of mother-to-fetus transmission.
One of the infants infected from their mother suffered from "severe neurological congenital anomalies," noted the Public Health Agency. Zika is linked to microcephaly and other birth defects.
At this point, the mosquitoes in Manitoba do not carry the virus. While Manitoba is tracking Zika it's not considered a high enough risk to be a "reportable disease," Dr. Rusk said.
A very small number of Zika cases in Canada were spread through unprotected sex, about one per cent or two cases Canada-wide, he said.
People can protect themselves and others by wearing condoms and practicing family planning.
"If you have travelled and you have become infected then you use condoms and for now it's up to six months," Rusk said.
"We are even advising women not to go [to Zika-affected countries] if they want to become pregnant."
Steps you can take
Manitobans should take precautions when travelling to Zika-affected regions, such as the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico, South America, Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands, and limited areas in North America (including Florida and Texas) and West Africa.
"We know that people get all sorts of diseases when they travel. The normal recommendation is that you see a travel health professional before you go," said Rusk.
If people chose to travel to Zika-affected countries Rusk's recommendations are to avoid getting bitten in the first place.
"We know that you got to put on the spray, wear the long light clothing, light coloured," he said.
"This is a mosquito that bites during the day so you have to be aware of that."
