The first human case of West Nile Virus this season has been confirmed in South Dakota.
It’s a resident of Turner County, between 30 and 39 years of age.
Health Officials says you need to protect yourself from mosquitoes, especially in the evening, especially during July 4th fireworks shows.
“Active transmission of West Nile virus is occurring in South Dakota and people need to protect themselves,” warns State Epidemiologist Dr. Joshua Clayton.
Clayton says that South Dakota has historically had a disproportionately high number of West Nile cases compared to other states.
Here’s the State Health Department’s list of ways to keep safe:
- Apply mosquito repellents (DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, 2-undecanone or IR3535) to clothes and exposed skin.Reduce mosquito exposure by wearing pants and long sleeves when outdoors.
- Limit time outdoors from dusk to dawn 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, ornamental fountains and pet dishes.
- Drain water from flower pots and garden containers.
- Discard old tires, buckets, cans or other containers that can hold water.
- Clean rain gutters to allow water to flow freely.
- Support local mosquito control efforts.
- West Nile can be especially risky for people over 50, pregnant, women, organ transplant patients, and individuals with cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney disease.
- Drug and alcohol abusers are also at increased risk.