An elderly person in McPherson County died last week from West Nile Virus, according to a report from the South Dakota Department of Health.
The person is the second in South Dakota to die because of the disease this year, said Lon Kightlinger, epidemiologist for the state. He would not give more details about the McPherson County person.
The first person was a Hughes County person in the 80-89 age bracket in early August, Kightlinger said.
McPherson County reported two human cases this year, including the person who died.
Brown County has reported 30 human cases, the most of any county in South Dakota. But there has not been a West Nile-related death in Brown County so far, according to the health department.
Though the peak of the infection was in early August, Kightlinger advised people to still take precautions when going out at night.
Kightlinger said precautions include using mosquito repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants and staying indoors during evening and early morning hours.