8 new cases of West Nile virus in state

Eight new cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Minnesota over the past week.

Health officials have identified 35 cases of the mosquito-borne disease in Minnesota this summer, one of which resulted in death. That's the highest number of west Nile illnesses since 2007, when 101 cases were logged.

Although the virus has been found in most parts of the state, the highest concentration is in southwest Minnesota.

Health officials advise state residents to avoid outside activity if possible at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active. They also advise applying an insect repellent. In the U.S., to date, there have been more than 1,100 cases of West Nile virus, resulting in more than 40 deaths.