Mosquitoes collected in the Twin Cities metro area have tested positive for West Nile Virus for the first time this year, and experts say more infected mosquitos are likely active in other parts of the state as well.
In fact, experts say central and western Minnesota have the highest risk of West Nile Virus due to prime habitat conditions for mosquitoes, which often lay eggs in stagnant bodies of water, from lakes and ponds to smaller pools of water in birdbaths, buckets, gutters and even puddles.
West Nile is a virus that can infect humans via mosquito bites. Many people who are infected don’t get ill, but the virus can cause flu-like symptoms including fever, headaches, body aches, joint pain, nausea and a rash. And it can cause serious illness in older adults and those with compromised immune systems.
But the virus is nothing out of the ordinary in Minnesota this time of year…