Wednesday marked the first day of summer, and with that, the government of Saskatchewan is urging the public to take preventative measures against the spread of West Nile Virus.

Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, so emptying things like bird baths and buckets that are scattered around the yard is a good way to prevent the spread of West Nile.

Using bug repellent and wearing light-coloured, loose-fitting long sleeves and pants are good ways to keep the mosquitoes at bay. Mosquitoes love bushy and shady areas, and are most prevalent between dawn and dusk.

Cypress Health Region's consulting medical health officer, Dr. David Torr, said such measures have been effective in reducing serious cases of West Nile around the south west.

"Certainly for the most severe cases over the years we've seen a good reduction in the numbers of cases," Dr. Torr said. "Probably a good contribution to that is that people are taking more care and certainly are aware that West Nile is around."

Dr. Torr said West Nile season is primarily from the middle of July to the middle of September, and that the decrease in cases at the hospital is huge because there isn't a "vaccine or any specific medication or treatment for West Nile Virus."

It's possible to be infected with the virus and not know it, as not all cases are alike.

"With West Nile there's a full spectrum of infection," said Dr. Torr. "There are many people that can get ill and not really know that they've been exposed to West Nile. We tend to see the most severe cases, which require hospitalization and that's when they get tested. Many people may get exposed and not go for testing and wouldn't know about it."

To treat severe cases - and the virus can be deadly - Dr. Torr said they focus on supportive treatment.

"Supporting the systems and helping the body as much as possible, or enabling it to recover, that's the kind of treatment you get," he said. "It's really supportive to the body, but we don't have a specific drug that will kill the virus from the body."

The virus was first identified in Saskatchewan in 2002, and of 157 identified cases between 2003 and 2016, 17 resulted in death.

"If you develop serious symptoms like a persistent fever, confusion, neck stiffness or an unusually severe headache, seek medical attention immediately," said Saskatchewan’s Deputy Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Denise Werker.