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.
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The South Dakota State baseball team is fighting for its season today against Arizona State in the Lincoln Regional. The game is set for 2 p.m.
The No. 4 Jackrabbits (24-32) lost 4-1 to No. 1 Nebraska in the opening game. No. 3 Arizona State lost a 706 heartbreaker to No. 2 Ole Miss in the opening round in 14 innings. The game took nearly 5.5 hours and ended around 1:20 a.m.
Here’s how to watch South Dakota State’s win-or-go-home game.
Watch South Dakota State baseball vs … on ESPN+
South Dakota State vs. Arizona State baseball stream, radio
Stream: ESPN+
Radio: KJJQ 910 AM
South Dakota State vs. Arizona State time today
- Date: Saturday, May 30
- Time: 2 p.m. CT
- Location: Haymarket Park in Lincoln, Nebraska
South Dakota State vs. Arizona State prediction
Paul Cifonelli, Argus Leader: This was always a tough draw for South Dakota State, as I thought this was the toughest regional in the country. At worst it’s the third toughest, with Chapel Hill and College Station in contention.
The Jackrabbits do have an advantage since Arizona State and Ole Miss went at it until after 1 a.m. Both teams stressed their pitching staffs, and every at bat required intense focus. The problem is South Dakota State doesn’t have the same top-end pitching these other teams do.
If Drew McDowell pitches, the Jacks might have a shot here. Otherwise they’ll have to win a slugfest, and I just don’t like those odds.
Prediction: Arizona State 8, South Dakota State 3
MISSION, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – In rural South Dakota, miles often separate expectant mothers from healthcare.
“A lot of women out here are left without any maternity care options,” said Rachel Kocak.
In Mission, moms mark their due dates and calculate miles to the nearest delivery location. Rachel Kocak, expecting her third child, said one option just closed.
“We used to have a birthing unit, I think up until a couple of months ago, and they lost their OB. So, Winner is no longer delivering babies,” Rachel said.
Some mothers remember when they could reach the hospital within a five-minute drive.
“IHS, for tribal members, they don’t deliver babies out here or provide prenatal care,” Rachel explained.
Families hope to reach the hospital before the baby arrives.
“So women either have to drive to Valentine, which is about 30 to 35 minutes from Mission, they can go to Wanblee, which is on the Pine Ridge Reservation, or they have to go to Pierre, Rapid City, or Sioux Falls,” Rachel said.
And if the roads are bad.
“I think there are a lot of babies who are unintentionally born at home. So it’s a tough place, I think, for mothers,” Rachel said.
The March of Dimes breaks down government data, showing a large portion of rural South Dakota as a maternity care desert, requiring travel of 38 or more minutes to reach an appointment or delivery room. The infant mortality rate is higher among native American babies born, compared to other races.
Health Department maps show counties in medium blue have 56 infant deaths per 100,000 births. Dark blue counties have three times as many. Grants aim to increase the number of healthcare workers, and funding supports a doula workforce program.
Kocak would like to see doulas and midwives available.
“Great opportunity for anyone who wants to become a home-birth midwife out here. The birth rate is still, I’m not sure what it is, but it’s high. There’s still a growing young population, and just not enough people to help deliver the babies,” Rachel said.
If care were closer, the outcomes could be brighter.
“You know, having the support network can make a huge change in the lives of these young, you know, these babies and young mothers who are building new families,” Rachel said.
The South Dakota Department of Health released a statement to Dakota News Now, which can be read in full below.
The South Dakota Maternal and Infant Health Task Force was created in 2025 to bring partners together to help improve the health and wellbeing of mothers and infants across the state. Their 5-year strategic plan was recently released, which has three priority areas: postpartum care to improve maternal health; safe sleep education and prevention strategies to protect infant health; and systems of care work that improves access, coordination, and quality of care statewide. One of the strategic plan activities that is supported by Rural Health Transformation is the creation of Regional Maternal and Infant Health Hubs, which will create a hub-and-spoke network connecting hospitals, clinics, tribal health services, and community organizations. These hubs will improve care coordination, strengthen referral pathways, and expand access to services for families in rural and tribal communities.
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