Edina warns residents of elevated West Nile virus risk
Mayor Hullvin alerted Edina residents Wednesday to an unusually high risk of West Nile virus this summer, with mosquitoes testing positive across the entire seven-county metro area at rates higher than normal for July.
The Edina City Council heard an urgent public health update during the mayor's remarks at Wednesday's meeting, focusing on the spread of West Nile virus throughout the region. The virus has been detected in mosquitoes in all seven metropolitan counties, with infection rates exceeding what officials typically see at this time of year.
The elevated risk stems from unusually high mosquito activity, particularly a species called Cullex tarselis that is known to carry the virus. This combination of factors has prompted city officials to issue a public advisory urging residents to take protective steps immediately.
Mayor Hullvin recommended several preventive measures for Edina residents. These include using insect repellent when outdoors, wearing long sleeves and pants during peak mosquito hours, eliminating standing water around homes where mosquitoes breed, and avoiding outdoor activities during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
West Nile virus is transmitted through mosquito bites and can cause serious illness in some people, though many infected individuals experience no symptoms. The virus poses particular risks to older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Residents who develop symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, or fatigue should contact their healthcare provider.
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Source document
[0:00] Well, greetings everybody. This is Jim
[0:02] Hullvin, your adina mayor, and this is
[0:03] the mayor's minute for Wednesday, July
[0:05] 30th, 2025. As we head into the late
[0:08] summer months, the risk of mosquito-born
[0:10] disease tends to increase, especially in
[0:13] years with hot, humid weather like we're
[0:15] having this year. This year, residents
[0:18] are advised to take particular caution
[0:20] to avoid mosquito bites. With West Nile
[0:22] virus activity increasing earlier than
[0:25] usual, mosquitoes have tested positive
[0:28] in all seven metropolitan counties. The
[0:31] positivity rate is higher than normal
[0:33] for July, so be careful. Last week,
[0:36] Metropolitan Mosquito Control District's
[0:38] lab reported that the Cullex tarselis
[0:40] mosquitoes, the species most responsible
[0:43] for human transmission of Westnile
[0:45] virus, are active in some of the highest
[0:48] numbers they've ever recorded. Dr.
[0:50] Jordan Manley reported that in mid July
[0:53] of the 133 mosquito pools tested, 34 or
[0:58] 25% tested positive for West Nile virus.
[1:01] It is one of the highest positivity
[1:04] rates ever recorded than July and is
[1:06] more typical of late August when the
[1:08] mosquito populations are winding down.
[1:11] With the elevated risk of West Nile
[1:13] virus in the air, it is important that
[1:15] residents take steps to protect
[1:17] themselves. So, make sure that you wear
[1:19] an EPA registered insect repellent. Wear
[1:23] long sleeves and pants. It's best if
[1:25] they are light colors and loose fitting.
[1:28] Eliminate any stagnant water in your
[1:30] yard. And avoid the outdoors during peak
[1:32] mosquito activity hours surrounding dawn
[1:35] and dusk. While mosquito numbers are
[1:37] expected to decrease in the coming
[1:39] weeks, the chances of getting infected
[1:41] with West Nile virus will remain high.
[1:44] So, it is very important to be vigilant
[1:46] and continue to use protection. Please
[1:48] protect yourself and stay healthy. This
[1:50] is Jim Hufflin and that's your mayor's
[1:52] minute for Wednesday, July 30th, 2025.
[1:55] Have a great rest of the week and make
[1:56] sure that you protect yourself from this
[1:58] West Nile virus.
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