West Nile Prevention Program

Mosquito Biting Finger


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The program is designed to reduce the threat of West Nile Virus which is transmitted to humans through bites by infected mosquitoes.

There are 43 known species of mosquitoes in South Dakota and only nineteen are known vectors of West Nile Virus. It is estimated that less than 1% of mosquitoes are infected with the West Nile Virus. Less than 1% of the people bitten by infected mosquitoes will get seriously ill. The chances are very small that you will be infected with the disease, but, even one case of West Nile Virus is considered one case too many.

Ways to Reduce Exposure

To reduce exposure to mosquitoes and the risk of becoming infected with West Nile Virus, the following steps are also recommended:

  1. Stay indoors at dawn, dusk, and in the early evening.
  2. Wear light colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants made of tightly woven materials whenever you are outdoors.
  3. Spray clothing with mosquito repellents containing picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD) products, 2-undecanone, or DEET since mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing.  For recommendations on mosquito repellent, go to the following website:  https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/prevention/index.html.
  4. Apply mosquito repellent sparingly to exposed skin.
  5. Mosquito repellents may irritate the eyes and mouth, so avoid applying repellent to the hands of children.
  6. Whenever you use mosquito spray or an insect repellent, be sure to read and follow the manufacturer’s directions for use, as printed on the product.
  7. Turn off any lights that can attract mosquitoes. Use yellow bug lights; for outdoor lighting. Yellow lights are less attractive to insects.
  8. Keep grass and weeds cut short to reduce mosquito hiding places.
  9. Screens on windows and doors should be bug tight.

Additional Information

Below are links to additional information concerning the city's West Nile Prevention Program and West Nile Virus: