South Dakota
South Dakota reported fewer West Nile virus cases than officials expected in 2025. What happened?
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With 87 cases of West Nile virus reported in 2025, South Dakota seems to have avoided the widespread outbreak experts anticipated earlier in the year.
In July, shortly after the first human case of 2025 was detected, the South Dakota Department of Health released a report projecting more than 130 cases for the year. That would have been the most in a single year for the state since 2018, when 169 cases were detected.
However, Joshua Clayton, South Dakota’s state epidemiologist, told the Argus Leader that a combination of factors helps explain why there were fewer cases than expected.
“Weather patterns likely played a significant role, as stretches of hot, dry conditions can reduce mosquito survival and limit the opportunity for transmission,” Clayton said. “City and county mosquito control programs also contributed through consistent management efforts throughout the season.”
The willingness of residents to protect themselves by using bug spray and limiting time outside during peak mosquito hours likely helped limit infections too, Clayton said.
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The majority of this year’s cases happened in East River counties, which Clayton said matches a “long-standing transmission pattern” in the state. The region also gets more rain and has more wetlands and other low-lying places that create “ideal breeding areas for mosquitoes,” he added.
“Human factors add to this pattern, since eastern South Dakota has more residents, which increases the chance of exposure and increases the likelihood that cases will be detected and reported,” Clayton said.
South Dakota reported four deaths from West Nile virus in 2025. That matches the total from 2023, when 96 human cases were detected in the state, a health department report says. Nationally, 46 states had, as of Nov. 18, reported a total of 1,941 human cases of West Nile virus this year, according to the CDC.
What are the symptoms of West Nile virus?
Most people infected with West Nile virus don’t develop any symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, about one in five people develop a fever and other symptoms, and about one out of 150 people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.
When it becomes a serious illness, symptoms can include: high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness or paralysis.
What are the best ways to prevent West Nile virus?
The health department says to take the following precautions to prevent mosquito bites and West Nile virus:
- Apply mosquito repellents to clothes and exposed skin, and limit exposure by wearing pants and long sleeves in the evening.
- Limit time outside between dusk and midnight, when mosquitoes are most active.
- Remove standing water, which provides mosquitoes with a breeding ground. Routinely change the water in birdbaths and pet dishes, and drain water from flowerpots and other.
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 8, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 8 drawing
05-12-13-39-48, Lucky Ball: 13
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes of $100 or less: Can be claimed at any South Dakota Lottery retailer.
- Prizes of $101 or more: Must be claimed from the Lottery. By mail, send a claim form and a signed winning ticket to the Lottery at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
- Any jackpot-winning ticket for Dakota Cash or Lotto America, top prize-winning ticket for Lucky for Life, or for the second prizes for Powerball and Mega Millions must be presented in person at a Lottery office. A jackpot-winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket must be presented in person at the Lottery office in Pierre.
When are the South Dakota Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Dakota Cash: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor. You can send feedback using this form.
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – A harrowing scene at Sheridan Lake ended without serious injury Tuesday after a man, a woman and their dog fell through thin ice near the swimming beach, authorities said.
Keep pets on a leash and never attempt a risky rescue if someone falls through the ice, officials said. Call 911 immediately.
The South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks agency advises that ice three inches or less is unsafe. Four inches is generally considered the minimum for walking, ice fishing or skating.
Lt. Casey Kenrick of the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office said the incident is a reminder to take extra precautions this winter.
“Usually at this time the ice is significantly thick on the lakes around the area, well, some aren’t even frozen all the way at this point. The temperatures have been up and down so much that the ice isn’t solid even though it may look like it is, so make sure you know the ice depth that you’re getting onto,” Kenrick said.
Kenrick said those precautions could mean the difference between a close call and a tragedy.
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Copyright 2026 KOTA. All rights reserved.
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – On Jan. 7, 1995, William Janklow began his third of four terms as governor. From statehood until 1972, governors served two-year terms. Voters then approved a constitutional amendment in 1972 allowing governors to serve two consecutive four-year terms.
Janklow served from 1979 to 1987 and again from 1995 to 2003. His 16 years are the longest stint of any governor in South Dakota history
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Copyright 2026 KOTA. All rights reserved.
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