ND health officials warn of West Nile Virus

Drought conditions this summer have reduced North Dakota’s mosquito population – but the ones still out there can pack a punch.

The state health department has confirmed five human cases of West Nile Virus – with six pending further results.   Four of the five victims of W-N-V were hospitalized.  Two of the six pending cases are in the hospital.    In addition 16 mosquito pools sampled around the state have tested positive – including nine from Grand Forks County.

Todd Hanson of the Grand Forks Health Department says the summer skeeter season is far from over.  Hanson says while there hasn’t been a citywide spray to date – they have done some targeted attacks in high traffic areas.

The department says two of the human W-N-V cases came from Cass County… and single cases from Mercer…Sargent…and Stutsman.