The interview posted above is from SDPB's daily public affairs show, In the Moment with Lori Walsh.
Grants are available to assist cities, counties and tribes in South Dakota with mosquito control efforts.
Since the establishment of the program, the state has provided millions of dollars to fight the West Nile virus. Kaitlin Thomas is with the South Dakota Department of Health.
“I would contend that it’s very important. In addition to the over 2,500 cases, there have been 47 deaths since 2001 when a human case of West Nile virus was first reported," Thomas said. "The ability to control the mosquito population is our ability to prevent the spread of West Nile virus.”
Grant awards range in size from $500 to $20,000 depending on the size of the population served and past numbers of human West Nile cases. Applications are due by June 1.
