First West Nile case in Olmsted County in 9 years - KXLT - Fox 47 Rochester MN News, Weather and Sports

ROCHESTER, Minn. (FOX 47) -- For the first time in nine years, a case of West Nile has been reported in Olmsted County. 

2003 was the last time a case of West Nile was reported in Olmsted County. That year two cases were actually reported and one of those turned fatal. 

As of Tuesday morning, 52 cases of West Nile had been reported across the state of Minnesota. Compare that number to 8 confirmed cases in 2010 and only 2 cases statewide in 2011.

"A big reason for that, as everybody knows we had a mild winter, leading into an early spring and then we've had a really hot summer, so the combination of all three of those put together has just made an increase of mosquitos for all of us," said Shaylene Baumbach, a public health educator for Olmsted County.

The virus is able to grow quicker in the mosquitos. During warmer weather there are typically more mosquitos that can transmit the disease.

"Most people don't see any symptoms at all, might have a mild illness that's about it," said Baumbach.

Health officials say it appears that this latest case in Olmsted county did originate out of state, likely when the victim was in Ohio or Michigan. But it is still important to take the precautions since the number of West Nile cases has been on the rise.