Jul 26, 2013 at 10:00 am
ST. CLOUD, Minn. (KNSI) West Nile virus season has arrived in Minnesota.
The State Health Depatment says the first confirmed case of the virus has been documented in a man from Murray County.
The department's Dave Neitzel says the highest risk period is from mid-July through August, making the next six weeks, "the most important time of the year to protect yourself from mosquitos."
Neitzel says there are 51 different species of mosquitos in Minnesota, and about two-dozen of those that feed on people. He says the one that transmits West Nile grows in number in the late summer months.
He says the best way to protect yourself is to use mosquito repellent and wear appropriate clothing if you're going to be outdoors where mosquitos are present.
He says the elderly and people with pre-existing medical conditions are most susceptible to West Nile. Predominant symptoms include fever and a headache.
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