Cities, counties, and tribes can now apply for state grant funding to help their communities control mosquito populations.
The Department of Health is providing a total of $500,000 this year to help prevent West Nile Virus.
“The state worked together with local mosquito control programs to prevent WNV since it first emerged,” said Josh Clayton, state epidemiologist for the Department of Health. “These grants help prevent the mosquito that transmits WNV from flourishing.”
Individual grants range from $500 to $20,000 and must be used exclusively for local mosquito control programs. Grant awards are based on the population of the applying jurisdiction and its number of human cases through the year 2023.
South Dakota’s first human case of WNV was reported in 2001. Since then, 2,843 cases have been identified, resulting in 53 deaths.
The application deadline is June 1, and the Department of Health will announce funding awards starting July 1. To apply for the grant, complete the online application form. For questions, email Julie Ramsey.