The Saskatchewan ministry of health is advising the public to take precautions against West Nile virus.

The virus was first detected 20 years ago and the risk has decreased in recent years.

But Health minister Paul Merriman wants the public to use best practices to protect against mosquito bites.

While the number of culex tarsalis mosquitoes, the type that carries West Nile virus has declined in recent years, he says it’s important to take precautions against mosquito bites.

In 2021, there was only one human neuroinvasive disease case and no one has died of West Nile Virus in Saskatchewan since 2018.

Provincial monitoring will continue in Saskatoon, Regina and Estevan to approximate the threat of West Nile in the province this summer.

Reducing exposure to mosquito bites includes insect repellant, loose fitting, long sleeve tops and long pants, avoiding outdoors at dawn and dusk, proper door and window screens and reducing standing water around the yard.

Most people infected with West Nile have no or mild symptoms while a few can develop fever, confusion and severe headache.