State recorded far fewer West Nile cases this year
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State health officials have counted 18 human cases of West Nile virus this season, compared to the 75 cases reported at this time last year.
The state Health Department's, Melissa Kemperman, said weather had a lot to do with the lower number this year.
"This year we did have a cooler beginning to the summer. May, June and July it was a bit cooler than usual and that probably really drove down the numbers of mosquito species that carry West Nile virus in Minnesota, and our numbers were definitely down throughout the season," Kemperman said.
There are no known fatalities among the 18 West Nile cases this year, Kemperman said.
Counties in west-central Minnesota accounted for most of the cases. West Nile season generally ends with the first hard frost.
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