West Nile Virus on the rise in Minnesota this year

CK

Mosquitoes: buzzing, annoying and possibly becoming deadlier than in the past four years.

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Minnesota reports its first West Nile virus case this year

West Nile Virus is on the rise this year, with 18 cases reported in Minnesota and several people hospitalized with serious complications, according to the Star Tribune. The past four years have seen a lull in the disease.

Texas has infamously had it much worse this year, with 200 cases spurring the mayor of Dallas to declare a state of emergency and order pesticide spraying. However, here in Minnesota this is the first time the number of West Nile virus cases has reached double digits since 10 cases were reported in 2008, according to the Strib.

Symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, pain and fatigue. Approximately 1 in 150 people infected will develop severe complications, including the brain infection encephalitis.

Health officials are urging the public to take precautions, such as using mosquito repellent.

Information on WNV can be found at the MDH website. Further information on repellents can be found on the CDC website. Or, for questions about WNV, call the MDH at (651) 201-5414 or (877) 676-5414 (outstate) between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.