Get ready for the peak of West Nile virus season in Saskatchewan.
The risk of being bitten by an infected mosquito peaks this coming weekend.
So far this year there have not been any confirmed cases in the province.
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To fight the bite, you’re advised to wear insect repellent and cover up between dusk and dawn.
City officials say although mosquito counts have been relatively low this year in Saskatoon, mosquitoes carrying the virus have been detected in traps.
“The West Nile starts to taper around mid-August and then through to the end of August and early September,” said Jeff Boone, the city’s pest management supervisor.
“At that point the mosquitoes that are emerging from the water bodies, they kind of slide into over-wintering dormancy as opposed to seeking out people to feed on so at that point the risk lessens quite a bit.”
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The risk of West Nile remains moderate in southern Saskatchewan, so precautions over the upcoming long weekend are even higher there.
People are also reminded to eliminate any amount of standing water in yards to help lower mosquito counts.
Meaghan Craig contributed to this story
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