West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquitoes in five South Dakota counties as well as in blood donations in four other counties.
State epidemiologist Dr. Josh Clayton says the first blood donor detections were last month.
The positive blood donations were found in Hand, Faulk, Potter and Todd counties. Mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile Virus have been found in Stanley, Beadle, Brown, Brookings and Minnehaha counties.
Despite the positive blood donations, Dr. Clayton says there have been no reported human cases of West Nile Virus in South Dakota yet this summer.
He says just because West Nile Virus hasn’t been detected where you live, doesn’t mean it’s not there.
Dr. Clayton reminds people to take steps to reduce their exposure to mosquitoes.
Find more information on West Nile Virus on the SD Department of Health website.
