Health Dept: 25 Cases Of West Nile In Minnesota
ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- The Minnesota Department of Health reports that there have been 25 confirmed cases of West Nile virus in the state this year.
The updated numbers include four cases where the virus was detected in blood donors.
The county with the most reported cases was Stearns County, which has seen three confirmed cases this year. Only Otter Tail, Brown and Wright Counties have seen two cases in 2013.
The virus has been connected with one death in Minnesota this year.
Aside from 2012, which saw 103 cases overall, these numbers mark the worst year since 2007, which had 116 confirmed cases.
The Minnesota Department of Health says West Nile virus is a potentially life-threatening disease. Health officials are urging Minnesotans to protect themselves by routinely using mosquito repellents and taking other precautions against mosquito bites.
