The South Dakota Department of Health is granting $500,000 in funds combat mosquitos and prevent the spread of West Nile Virus.
Nearly 200 cities, tribes, and counties are receiving funds to aid in mosquito control measures. Individual amounts awarded were determined by population size and historical case data related to the virus.
West Nile Virus was first detected in South Dakota in 2002. Since then, the state sees anywhere from under a dozen, to over 100 cases per year.
So far, no cases in South Dakota have been reported yet, but mosquito pools testing positive for the virus have been found in Brookings County this summer.
