Manitoba hospital halts elective surgeries due to severe pavement ant infestation.

Residents of Carman, Manitoba, face urgent disruptions as Carman Memorial Hospital suspends all elective surgeries indefinitely following a persistent invasion by pavement ants. The Southern Health Authority confirmed that 16 procedures, including critical hernia repairs and gallbladder removals, have been relocated to other facilities to ensure patient safety. While officials stress that there is no danger to staff or the building's structural integrity, the infestation has forced the cancellation of any operation requiring a sterile environment. Emergency services remain unaffected, and patients requiring immediate care are being transported to the nearest available hospital.

Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that every effort is being made to restore normal services as quickly as possible. Exterminators are currently on-site, sealing cracks in the walls, cleaning drains, and deploying bait and sticky traps to locate the source of the colony. However, experts warn that these measures may not be enough. Rob Higgins, a retired entomology professor, noted that permanently eradicating pavement ants is a rare achievement, suggesting the region faces a significant challenge.

This is the third time in two years the hospital has dealt with these resilient insects. After the pests appeared in 2024 and again last summer, authorities took action, but the colony has returned this spring. The Southern Health Authority believes the ants are simply seeking food sources inside the building, yet the recurring nature of the infestation indicates a need for extensive, long-term solutions. As the cleanup crews work to stem the tide, the community awaits news on when surgeries can resume and how the hospital will prevent future invasions.