The weeks from now through early September bring what health officials call the peak transmission time for West Nile virus in South Dakota. Late last month, the South Dakota Department of Health said a Hughes County resident was the first human West Nile virus detection of the season. State Epidemiologist Dr. Lon Kightlinger says it’s likely more cases of West Nile will show up as the summer progresses.
Lon Kightlinger-1 Expect More Cases of WNVj8
Kightlinger says South Dakota and a few neighboring states seem to be hit the hardest by the bird disease, which is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes.
Lon Kightlinger-2 We’re In Epicenter of WNVj8
Kightlinger says state and local agencies do what they can to cut mosquito numbers, but personal precautions against mosquito bites are also important.
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The state has reported more than 2,000 human cases since the first West Nile detection in 2002 and 32 people have died from it.