South Dakota has its first human case of West Nile virus for the year. A Brookings County resident contracted the illness, which is most commonly spread by mosquito bites. Officials are urging residents to take precautions of applying mosquito repellents that include DEET,

The South Dakota Department of Health has confirmed a human case of West Nile Virus, the first in the state in 2025. The virus was found in a resident of Brookings County, according to a release from the SDDOH. Since it was first reported in 2002, there have been 2,864 human cases and 54 deaths.

The South Dakota Department of Health (DOH) confirmed the first human case of West Nile virus of the 2025 season, according to a press release. The case was reported in a resident from Brookings County.