SD a leader in serious complications from West Nile

Posted on Wednesday, May 28, 2008

When it comes to serious health problems from West Nile virus, South Dakota is tops in the nation.

Lon Kightlinger in the state Health Department says the state's per-capita rate of encephalitis or meningitis from West Nile is highest nationally. Wyoming, Nebraska and North Dakota follow.

Kightlinger says that's largely because a major carrier of West Nile -- the Culex tarsalis mosquito -- is at home in the upper Great Plains.

And he says after being cooped up all winter, South Dakotans like to be outdoors in summer at the height of the West Nile season.