West Nile Virus cases in humans are on the rise statewide as Minnesota is seeing a West Nile outbreak.
"It wouldn't be unexpected to see kind of one of those years where we have a bit more going on," says Elizabeth Schiffman, an Epidemiologist Supervisor with the Minnesota Department of Health. "Because last year was kind of toward the low end. But this year we've really climbed up so as of our current total, I believe we're up to 70 cases which is more than we've seen for the last probably 10 years."
Schiffman says while most people infected with this virus will have either no symptoms or a mild flu-like illness, it's still important to take precautions.
"Generally, people are not going to get sick from West Nile," Schiffman adds. "Some people might develop some kind of mild symptoms, headache, body aches, fever, that kind of stuff."
The MDH says the biggest risk is in the morning and evening when mosquitos are most active.
"That's really the message. Don't be scared, just be aware, don't forget your bug repellent, even if it seems like we should be past that part of the year," Schiffman explains. "We're not quite there yet."
West Nile virus (WNV) was first found in Minnesota in 2002 and has since become the most commonly reported mosquitoborne disease in the state.
The highest risk areas for WNV in Minnesota include the western and central portions of the state. Open areas, such as farmland and prairie, and provides the best habitat. Similar to other arboviruses, most WNV cases occur later in the summer when infected populations are at their highest level.
In 2024, 35 WNV disease cases were reported in Minnesota. The majority of cases, 71%, reported symptom onset in August or September.
- 25 (71%) cases were male
- Median age was 64 years (range, 32 to 86 years)
- 28 (80%) cases were hospitalized
- 26 (74%) cases had a severe illness affecting the central nervous system (encephalitis or meningitis) and one case died
- 7 WNV-positive blood donors who did not have any symptoms of illness were also identified