Sunscreen, water and bugspray are the three things we need to remember for the long weekend.

 

Those blood-thirsty mosquitoes are sure to be out in high numbers this weekend, and Saskatchewan Health Officials are urging us to protect ourselves from the bugs.

 

We are heading into the high-risk period for the West Nile virus, which is spread by mosquitoes. Dr. David Torr, Consulting Medical Health Officer for the Cypress Health Region, says the culex tarsalis mosquitoes that carry the virus are just starting to show up, and they can be harder to spot when compared to the early-season nuisance mosquitoes.

 

 

Torr adds the culex tarsalis mosquito tends to bite in the evening and early mornings, so we should remember to take appropriate precautions especially when outside at those times.

 

No human West Nile cases have turned up yet in Saskatchewan, but there have been a few just south of the border in North Dakota. Last year, there were two human West Nile cases reported in the province.