PIERRE, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The South Dakota Department of Health confirmed the first human West Nile virus case of the year in a resident of Beadle County on Thursday.
According to the DOH, South Dakota has reported more than 2,843 human cases and 53 deaths since West Nile was first reported in 2002.
“West Nile virus is an infection most commonly spread through mosquito bites,” said Dr. Joshua Clayton, state epidemiologist. “The rate of severe infection that includes swelling of the brain and spinal cord with symptoms of stiff neck, confusion, and muscle weakness is highest in South Dakota and other Midwest states. Raising awareness of human cases can ensure residents and visitors alike take action to reduce their risk.”
The Department of Health offered the following suggestions for reducing your risk:
- Apply mosquito repellents (DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, 2-undecanone, param-menthane-diol, or IR3535) to clothes and exposed skin. Limit exposure by wearing pants and long sleeves in the evening;
- Limit time outdoors from dusk to midnight when mosquitoes are most active. Culex tarsalis are the primary carrier of WNV in South Dakota;
- Remove standing water that gives mosquitoes a place to breed. Regularly change the water in birdbaths, outside pet dishes, and drain water from other flowerpots and garden containers and stay away from areas near standing water; and
- Support local mosquito control efforts.
Those at high risk for contracting West Nile include people over 50, pregnant women, organ transplant patients, individuals with cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure or kidney disease, and those with a history of alcohol abuse, according to the DOH. People with severe or unusual headaches should see their physicians.
“This year, nearly 200 South Dakota cities, counties and tribes will share $500,000 in grants intended to control mosquitoes and prevent West Nile virus,” added Dr. Clayton.
Visit the department’s website for more information about West Nile.
The department’s surveillance page includes which counties have reported cases.
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