Manitoba issues order to spray mosquitoes
Posted July 30, 2026 6:25 pm.
Last Updated July 30, 2026 6:26 pm.
The Government of Manitoba has issued a ministerial order under the Environment Act to spray for adult mosquitoes due to a high risk for the West Nile virus.
Data from the last week have shown high numbers of adult Culex tarsalis mosquitoes and evidence of infection with West Nile virus, while noting that mosquito counts exceeded the threshold for the province to begin adult mosquito control in several parts of the province, including parts of Winnipeg.
Crews will use DeltaGard 20EW — a Health Canada-approved spray classified as a reduced-risk pesticide — starting as early as Friday, July 31.
Officials in Winnipeg ave confirmed that the fogging program will start around 9:30 p.m. on July 31, weather permitting, at the following areas:
- IMA 22 – Fairfield Park, Richmond West, Waverley West, Waverley Heights, Bison Run, Bridgwater Centre, Bridgwater Forest, Bridgwater Lakes, Bridgwater Trails, Prairie Pointe, South Pointe
- IMA 23 – Whyte Ridge
- IMA 24 – Linden Ridge, West Fort Garry Industrial
- IMA 43 – North Inkster Industrial, Tyndall Park
- IMA 44 – Burrows – Keewatin, Inkster Industrial Park
- IMA 48 – Inkster Gardens, Mandalay West, The Maples
- IMA 51 – Amber Trails, Rosser – Old Kildonan
The province says that to date there have been no human cases of the West Nile virus confirmed in Manitoba in 2026, noting that a single bite from an infected mosquito can transmit West Nile virus to humans.
The CDC is also urging people to try to limit mosquito bites this year, urging everyone to use bug spray and mosquito-control efforts as West Nile virus season is off to its earliest and worst start in over two decades.
The CDC also recommends people wear long, loose-fitting clothes when outside to make it harder for mosquitoes to bite them. Experts also suggest people avoid being outdoors around dusk and dawn, when the mosquitoes that carry the virus are most active
Scientists say many people — perhaps tens of thousands each year — are infected but don’t know it because they have no symptoms, or only mild ones such as headaches, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea and rashes.
In severe cases, damage to the central nervous system causes potentially deadly inflammation of the brain or spinal cord. Adults older than 60 and people with underlying medical conditions or weakened immune systems face the highest risk of such complications.
-With files from the Associated Press
