Health Department: Mosquitoes Can Spread West Nile in June

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — The South Dakota Department of Health is reminding state residents that mosquitoes can still transmit the West Nile virus in June, even though it isn't yet the peak transmission period.

The department said Friday that residents should be careful now even though the peak transmission time for the virus is July through September.

Lon Kightlinger, state epidemiologist for the Department of Health, says the virus is a serious illness that can be fatal.

He says that South Dakota residents should try to prevent mosquito bites through prevention techniques such as using mosquito repellents and remembering to remove standing water, which is where mosquitoes breed.

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