South Dakota Reports Third West Nile Death

August 15, 2007 -- PIERRE, S.D. – A Brown County resident is South Dakota’s third West Nile death of the season, the Department of Health reported today. The individual was in the 80 to 89 year old age group, as were the two earlier deaths in Hand and Pennington Counties.

Thirty-three of South Dakota's 66 counties have now had WNV detections. A total of 62 human cases have been reported to date.

"The fact that we have now had three deaths in the 80 to 89 year old age group is a serious reminder that the elderly are at very high risk for West Nile and need to take precautions to protect themselves," said Dr. Lon Kightlinger.
The department recommends the following precautions to prevent mosquito bites and reduce the risk of WNV:

* Use mosquito repellents containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, and cover as much skin as possible with loose-fitting clothing.
* Limit time outdoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
* Eliminate standing water that gives mosquitoes a place to breed.
* Support local mosquito control efforts.

Elderly persons, pregnant women, diabetics, transplant patients, individuals with high blood pressure, and those with a history of alcohol abuse should be especially mindful to take precautions. People with a severe or unusual headache should see their physician.

For more information about West Nile, visit the Department of Health web site at http://westnile.sd.gov or call 1-800-592-1861. Information is also available from the SDSU Cooperative Extension Service at http://sdces.sdstate.edu/westnile/ and the South Dakota Animal Industry Board at www.state.sd.us/aib.

Source: South Dakota Department of Health

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