July through September might be the peak transmission for West Nile virus (WNV) in South Dakota but cases have also occurred in June, said a state health official today. o ignored
“West Nile is a serious, sometimes fatal illness and South Dakota has a disproportionately high number of cases,” said Dr. Lon Kightlinger, state epidemiologist for the Department of Health. “That’ why it’s so important we get in the habit of protecting ourselves with mosquito repellent and doing what we can to get rid of the standing water that give mosquitoes a place to breed.”
Prevent mosquito bites and reduce the risk of WNV 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 are most active. Culex are the primary carrier of WNV in South Dakota.
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 other flower pots and garden containers.
Support local mosquito control efforts.
Personal precautions are especially important for those at high risk for WNV – people 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.
Since its first human WNV case in 2002, the state has reported 2,168 human cases, including 677 hospitalizations and 32 deaths. Every county has reported cases.
Visit the department’s website at westnile.sd.gov for more information about WNV.
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