It's been 20 years since West Nile Virus was first detected in Saskatchewan.

But that doesn't mean that the risk has decreased.

 Doctor David Torr, Southwest Medical Health Officer and Area Department Lead for the Department of Public Health and Preventative Medicine with the SHA said, "People may feel it's less of a concern because we've seen progressively fewer and fewer cases over the years. But, we still are concerned because there are individuals who are more pre-disposed either by age or having immune suppressive illness or some individuals have genetic factors that pre-dispose them to this."

 West Nile Virus is spread by the Culex Tarsalis mosquito, and while most people experience none or mild symptoms, if you experience fever, confusion, neck stiffness or an unusually severe headache, you should seek medical attention.

You can reduce your exposure to mosquito bites by using appropriate insect repellent when outdoors, wearing light-colored, loose fitting, long-sleeved tops and long pants when outdoors, reducing the amount of time spent outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active, maintaining door and window screens so they fit tightly and are free of holes, and reducing mosquito habitat (standing water) around your home and yard.