PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - The South Dakota Department of Health has awarded nearly $500,000 in grants to help communities curb diseases spread by mosquitoes.
The Health Department said Wednesday that the funding ranges from $300 to $20,000 and is based on factors like population and prevalence of West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne illness that causes severe illness and sometimes death. More than 200 cities, counties and American Indian tribes will share in the money for mosquito control.
Bill Chalcraft, an administrator with the Health Department, says South Dakota sees a disproportionately high number of West Nile cases compared with other states.
Since 2002, South Dakota has reported 2,432 human cases, resulting in 778 hospitalizations and 42 deaths.
South Dakota saw its first human case of the season earlier this month.
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Online:
http://www.westnile.sd.gov
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