West Nile cases on the rise

(St. Paul, MN/Minnesota News Network) — The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is reporting a notable increase in West Nile virus activity this summer, with 20 confirmed cases and two deaths so far. Infectious Disease Epidemiologist Elizabeth Schiffman says the department is currently investigating another 50 reports, which she notes is typical for this time of year. However, the volume of reports is higher than usual. The two individuals who died were both men over the age of 60—one from the Twin Cities metro and the other from western Minnesota 2. The virus has been most active in western and central Minnesota, particularly in open areas such as farmland and prairie, which are ideal habitats for Culex tarsalis, the primary mosquito vector. Health officials emphasize that most people infected with West Nile virus experience no symptoms or only mild flu-like illness. Still, less than 1% develop serious complications such as encephalitis or meningitis.