West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in a dead crow in Aberdeen, South Dakota, a state health official said June 26. Testing at the State Public Health Laboratory in Pierre confirmed the virus. This is the first detection of the virus in South Dakota and the furthest west the virus has been detected nationally.

“West Nile has been detected in many of the surrounding states so we have been expecting to find it here as well. We have a good surveillance system in place and it worked exactly as it was supposed to,” said Dr. Lon Kightlinger, State Epidemiologist for the Department of Health.

He encouraged people to continue submitting dead birds for testing so the department can track the spread of WNV in South Dakota.

West Nile virus is primarily a bird disease, and crows are especially susceptible. Mosquitoes become infected by feeding on an infected bird and can pass the virus to humans, horses, or other hosts when they bite