West Nile disease spreads
Posted: Thursday, August 28, 2008
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- The West Nile disease count has reached 22 in South Dakota this year -- an increase of seven human cases in the past week.
The South Dakota Health Department has confirmed infections in 17 counties, an increase of five counties since last week. The latest include Meade, Dewey, Grant, Bennett and Miner counties.
West Nile infections in humans were found earlier in Minnehaha, Lawrence, Sully, Beadle, Hughes, Stanley, Corson, Brown, Davison, Lincoln, Charles Mix, and Union counties.
Brown County leads the state with six confirmed cases.
The West Nile virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes.
Last year, 208 people were infected and six died in South Dakota.
More than one-third of those infected this year have required hospitalization. None of them died.
Most people infected with West Nile virus do not develop symptoms. However, sometimes mild illness results one to two weeks after exposure.
Symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and swollen lymph nodes.
People infected so far this year range in age from 15 to 78. The median age for those struck by the disease was 40.
The South Dakota Health Department has confirmed infections in 17 counties, an increase of five counties since last week. The latest include Meade, Dewey, Grant, Bennett and Miner counties.
West Nile infections in humans were found earlier in Minnehaha, Lawrence, Sully, Beadle, Hughes, Stanley, Corson, Brown, Davison, Lincoln, Charles Mix, and Union counties.
Brown County leads the state with six confirmed cases.
The West Nile virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes.
Last year, 208 people were infected and six died in South Dakota.
More than one-third of those infected this year have required hospitalization. None of them died.
Most people infected with West Nile virus do not develop symptoms. However, sometimes mild illness results one to two weeks after exposure.
Symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and swollen lymph nodes.
People infected so far this year range in age from 15 to 78. The median age for those struck by the disease was 40.
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