Alarmed by the number of West Nile cases in the province and the death of an elderly man from the disease, Manitoba has ordered that several communities be sprayed with malathion to control the spread of mosquitoes that carry the virus.

"We've had more cases reported than ever before," Dr. Joel Kettner, Manitoba's chief medical officer of health, told CBC News. "This is also the earliest we've ever had a death reported."

The species of mosquito that carries West Nile virus is isolated in a petri dish.
(CBC)

The death was of an 80-year-old man from the Assiniboine health region who contracted the more severe type of virus, the province disclosed Saturday.

Manitoba has reported that 42 people tested positive for West Nile so far this year. Elsewhere, 17 people in Saskatchewan and one in Alberta have contracted the disease.

West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitoes. Most people who are bitten by an infected mosquito do not become ill and for those who do, the symptoms are usually mild. In some cases, the virus causes serious illness and sometimes death.

To limit the spread of mosquitoes, Manitoba has ordered spraying for Carberry and Sioux Valley First Nation.

The situation has been worse in the United States. 

Last week, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in three counties after four people died of the disease.

Canada's worst West Nile year was in 2003 when 1,500 people were infected and 14 people died.

Officials said there is no need to panic, and advised Canadians to take precautions by covering up, using bug sprays and getting rid of standing water where mosquitoes breed.