A second human West Nile Virus case has been reported in Lake County.  The State Health Department says the total number of human cases in the state now sits at 41.  Other area counties with human cases of the virus reported include Kingsbury with two, Brookings with one, and Minnehaha County with three.  In all, the virus has been detected in some form in 25 South Dakota counties. 

The City of Madison has a comprehensive plan to help control mosquito populations.  Ted LaFleur with the city’s Public Works Department, says that mosquito populations are down at the present time, but the type of mosquitoes that are around in the late summer and fall are the type that are known to carry disease.  LaFleur says the city’s park staff has been spraying city-wide for mosquitoes almost weekly, and as of this week, crews have sprayed 8 times this summer.  He says they have also put larvacide into catch basins on the streets and in standing water throughout the city where mosquito larva is found. 

To prevent mosquito bites, people should wear protective clothing and mosquito repellant and limit time outdoors from dusk to midnight when the bugs are most active.  People can also help reduce the number of mosquitoes by emptying anything that holds water, which reduces their breeding areas.