South Dakota's first human case of West Nile virus infection was reported Friday. The virus was confirmed in a Corson County resident in the 30 to 39 age group, according to the state Department of Health.

Although Corson County is in West River's northeastern tier, the announcement only added to the worries of Pennington County weed and pest supervisor Scott Guffey.

Culex tarsalis mosquitoes, the most common carrier of West Nile, are showing up in traps that Guffey has placed throughout the county.

"It's a pretty low percentage compared to other mosquitoes," Guffey said. "I expect them to start to rise in the next week or so."

All it takes is a bite from one infected mosquito to transmit the West Nile virus, and more than one species of mosquito can carry the virus, according to South Dakota State University entomologist Mike Catangui.

Mosquito numbers are climbing, and Guffey's budget for mosquito control is shrinking.

Guffey said the county's mosquito efforts will be limited because the state eliminated counties from the allocation of mosquito control funds this year. The state distributed more than $614,000 to municipalities for mosquito control this summer.

In earlier years, counties shared in the grant awards.

"They just randomly decided what municipalities got the money," Guffey said. "They didn't consult with any local experts or anything. They just figured who needed the money and who didn't, I guess."

Rapid City has received more than $80,000 from the state to assist with mosquito control this year. Wall was the only other municipality in Pennington County to receive a mosquito-control grant.

Not giving any money to counties is a waste of taxpayers' dollars, Guffey said.

"Especially in Pennington County," he said.

With more than 11,000 residents, Rapid Valley is the equivalent of many small cities in South Dakota, he said.

"Here, we're a county trying to deal with municipal problems," Guffey said. "Mosquitoes aren't just the city's problem; they're out in the county as well."

In prior years, Pennington County used grant awards to help smaller communities with their mosquito control, Guffey said.

Counties were not included in the grant awards this year because funding was limited, according to Tom Martinec, director of the Health Department's Division of Health Systems Development and Regulation.

Martinec said the grants were distributed to "maximize use and get the biggest bang for the buck."

Population and historical numbers of West Nile virus cases in a community were used to determine the distribution of the grant funds. The state also considered the mosquito programs in various communities.

"There are a lot of mosquitoes everywhere," Martinec said. "What we hoped to see happen is that these communities that receive funding would work with the counties to do control."

Martinec said it would be in the best interest of Rapid City to assist the county with mosquito control costs this summer.

Pennington County Commissioner Nancy Trautman said Guffey is scheduled on the agenda for Tuesday's commission meeting to discuss mosquito control.

Trautman said the county is not in a financial position to adequately provide the mosquito control needed this year.

Without any state assistance, the county is going to struggle to provide the control it has in the past, especially in areas such as Rapid Valley, she said.

"We know that out in the Valley is a hotbed," Trautman said.

"The state created this situation, and they should be stepping up to the plate," Trautman said.

Every mosquito is a threat

The peak season for the transmission of West Nile virus is mid-July through mid-August, but every mosquito should be considered a potential threat, according to Extension specialists from South Dakota State University.

Look for personal repellants containing deet, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

Repellants should not be used on infants younger than 2 months old. Do not use picaridin on children younger than 3.

Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved clothing, and stay indoors after dusk and in the evening when mosquitoes are most active.

Thermal foggers only kill mosquitoes that come in contact with the insecticidal fog.

Longer-lasting barrier or residual insecticides can be effective if properly applied.

Apply the insecticide to surfaces where mosquitoes rest during the day:

* North or sheltered sides of board fences

* Wall siding

* Eaves

* Outbuildings

* Trees and shrubs

* Under decks

* In tall grass or weeds

Contact Andrea Cook at 394-8423 or andrea.cook@rapidcityjournal.com