St. Louis County, Minnesota (Fox 9) – West Nile virus is spreading nationwide, with nearly 300 human infections reported in 33 states, including Minnesota.

What we know

The mosquito-borne disease, which causes flu-like symptoms and in rare cases can lead to death, has already been transmitted to three people in Minnesota, but no one in the metropolitan area has become ill.

But according to the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District, a government agency based in St. Paul that oversees aerial spraying throughout the metropolis, 47 mosquitoes have been infected with the virus across the region.

The three human cases occurred in St. Louis, Yellow Medicine and Nicollet counties.

“The disease is here, and if it is here now, there is a chance that there will be more and more cases as the disease progresses,” said entomologist Dr. Mohammed El Damir.

He pointed out that although only 20 percent of those infected show symptoms, the disease can, in rare cases, lead to severe illness and death in vulnerable populations such as the elderly and immunocompromised people.

“If they become infected with West Nile virus, which can be fatal, that could be a problem.”

Optimal environment for propagation

Recent rainfall and high humidity have created optimal conditions for mosquito breeding, keeping pest controllers busy.

“I’m getting a lot more calls, especially from people with young children or elderly people and so on,” said Clark Young, owner of Bite Back Mosquito Hunters in Maple Grove.

He recommended a measure that everyone can take to control the mosquito population.

“Drain the standing water immediately, because even if the standing water sits there for just 24 hours, eggs will get into it.”

The mosquito season is almost over. When temperatures fall below 10 degrees, they hibernate and die at the first frost.