It's the last day of summer, and it's very close to the end of the risk period for West Nile Virus.

     This year, the Ministry of Health has reported six human cases of the virus in Saskatchewan, compared to more than a thousand at this time last year.  This year to date, no cases have been reported in the Cypress Health Region.

     Provincial West Nile Co-ordinator Phil Curry says the cooler weather this summer has helped keep Culex Tarsalis mosquito populations down, but there is still a risk of the virus until the first hard frost kills off all of the mosquitoes.  He reminds that people should keep taking precautions against mosquito bites by covering themselves up and by applying insect repellant.

     Curry adds that cases may also turn up from people who were exposed to the virus earlier this month, but doesn't expect a huge spike in this year's numbers.

     2007 was the worst year for West Nile in the province with 1456 positive human cases, and the virus contributed to the deaths of six people.