West Nile Virus Hits South Dakota

Posted on Monday, June 30, 2008

The Department of Health last Friday reported South Dakota's first West Nile virus detection of the year, a Corson County resident in the 30 to 39 age group.

South Dakota's first case of human WNV was reported in 2002. Since then, 1,677 cases and 26 deaths have been reported in the state. Since 2004, as part of its WNV response, the state has awarded more than $3 million in grants to cities, counties and tribes across the state for mosquito control.

Personal precautions are particularly important for the elderly, pregnant women, transplant patients and people with other underlying medical conditions. People with a severe or unusual headache should see their physician. Those with diabetes are also at higher risk of complications from WNV and should take precautions.