A Todd County blood donor is South Dakota’s first human West Nile virus detection of the season. The state Health Department reported today (Tues.) that the person is in the 30 to 39-year-old age group.
State Epidemiologist Dr. Joshua Clayton says the individual wasn’t ill but was detected through the routine screening of blood donations that takes place to make sure the blood supply is safe. He says it’s a clear indication that mosquito-to-human WNV transmission is taking place and people need to protect themselves.
Clayton said South Dakota has a disproportionately high number of WNV cases compared to other states and he encouraged residents to reduce their risk by taking the following actions:
- 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.
Dr. Clayton says precautions are especially important for people at high risk for WNV, including:
- individuals over 50
- pregnant women
- organ transplant patients
- individuals with cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure or kidney disease
- those with a history of alcohol abuse
He says people with severe or unusual headaches should see their physicians. Visit the department’s website at westnile.sd.gov for more information about WNV.
