How likely is West Nile virus following increase of mosquitoes?

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - The recent increase in mosquitoes in Sioux Falls and surrounding areas raised concerns about the side effects mosquito bites can have on your health.

“I know they carry West Nile disease and all sorts of things,” said Sioux Falls resident Diane Olson.

While still rare, West Nile virus is the most common disease that can be contracted from a mosquito bite, and it can vary from a mild reaction to a more serious issue.

Dr. David Basel with Avera Pediatrics and Internal Medicine explained, “Like meningitis and other nerve type of injuries, luckily, it’s very rare to actually get that.”

Diane Olson volunteers at the Levitt, and the floods and rain have caused the venue to cancel events along with a whole new issue. She said, “All the rain brings all the mosquitoes, and here we are, back to the mosquito problem. I want to just keep everybody safe.”

Dr. David Basel reassured us that the mosquitoes we’re seeing have a higher likelihood of just giving you an irritating bite instead of a harmful virus. He described the flood mosquitoes as a different species from the mosquito that would typically carry West Nile.

He said the best way to prevent a mosquito bite is by covering the skin with long-sleeved shirts and pants and using bug spray.

If you have found yourself already bit by a mosquito, he said the first step is to wash the bite off and then use different topical items to reduce swelling, like an ice pack or cream. For inflammation, he recommended using something like a topical or oral medication, but don’t use both at the same time.