Category Archives: News

South Dakota’s peak transmission for West Nile virus (WNV) is now through the end of August and health officials are warning residents activity is already increasing.

“We are seeing a higher than normal number of mosquitoes test positive for West Nile this year and the number of human cases so far is already above our 10-year average,” said Dr. Lon Kightlinger, state epidemiologist for the Department of Health. “We can’t emphasize enough how important it is for people to protect themselves with insect repellent.”

South Dakota had reported 19 human WNV cases as of July 28 and Kightlinger said next week’s surveillance update will show cases continuing to climb. Cases have been reported in Beadle, Bookings (2), Brown (4), Codington, Davison, Douglas, Grant, Hamlin, Lincoln, McCook, Minnehaha (2), Spink (2) and Todd counties. There have also been positive mosquito detections in Brookings, Brown, Edmunds, Hughes, Lincoln and Minnehaha counties.

Kightlinger said South Dakota has a disproportionately high number of WNV cases and he encouraged residents to reduce their risk with the following precautions:

Apply mosquito repellents (DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus 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 Culex mosquitoes, the primary carrier of WNV in South Dakota, are most active.
Get rid of standing water that gives mosquitoes a place to breed. Regularly change water in bird baths, outside pet dishes, and drain water from flower pots and garden containers.
Support local mosquito control efforts.

These precautions are especially important for people at high risk for WNV – those over 50, pregnant women, transplant patients, individuals with diabetes or high blood pressure, and those with a history of alcohol abuse. People with severe or unusual headaches should see their physicians.

For updated case numbers and prevention information see http://westnile.sd.gov.

Preventing and controlling infectious disease is one objective of the Department of Health’s 2015-2020 strategic plan, http://doh.sd.gov/strategicplan.

The South Dakota Department of Transportation says the westbound lanes of Interstate 90 between Draper and Murdo are now open to two lanes of traffic.

Eastbound traffic in the construction zone between Draper and Murdo will remain reduced to one lane for about nine miles.

Doug Sherman, Winner area engineer said, “Getting the westbound lanes open and eliminating the two-way traffic situation before the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was a tremendous team effort by SDDOT and contractor staff.”

Knife River Construction of Sioux City, Iowa is the prime contractor on this $13.2 million project.

For complete road construction information, visit www.safetravelusa.com/sd or dial 511.

The state of South Dakota is kicking off a campaign to remind South Dakotans that “Meth Changes Everything.” The campaign, led by the Department of Social Services (DSS), is geared at educating high school students and communities across the state on the dangers of meth use.

“Meth has been affecting our state for decades, but is on the rise in some communities in South Dakota,” said Gov. Daugaard. “This campaign is a vital step forward in fighting the ongoing battle against meth use in South Dakota.” (Audio Clip)

Meth use has caused a negative impact on families and communities in South Dakota. In addition to the problems and effects meth addiction has on individuals, it can cause an increase in criminal activities and community costs related to arrest and incarceration.

“ It’s important to help South Dakotans understand the devastating consequences of meth use,” said Gov. Daugaard. “We need to get tough on meth use and strengthen prevention efforts, because meth ruins lives, devastates families, and leads to other crimes and harmful behaviors.”

South Dakotans are encouraged to take the pledge to stand against meth use by visiting the website methchangeseverything.com. The website provides information about meth use, resources for individuals seeking help and candid stories from recovering meth addicts.

This fall, prevention providers will be visiting schools and communities across the state to provide education and information to students. For more information, see the campaign’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/MethChangesEverything or call the DSS Prevention Program at 605-773-3123 or toll-free at 1-855-878-6057.

DSS funds substance abuse and suicide prevention providers/coalitions in South Dakota. Prevention providers conduct evidence-based programming in schools across the state and increases awareness of the dangers of substance abuse.