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Mosquito season forecast for Minnesota
Mosquito season is starting this April, and treatments to keep the insect population in check are already underway. Alex Carlson with the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District discusses how crews are working to prevent mosquitoes before they hatch.
(FOX 9) - Mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus have been found in three Minnesota counties, prompting health officials to urge residents to take extra precautions.
Mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus
What we know:
According to the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District (MMCD), mosquitoes collected at one location in Hennepin County, two in Ramsey County and one in Dakota County tested positive for West Nile virus in samples collected on June 17.
The samples collected represent the first positive results for the virus in 2026, which remains on schedule for the the virus typically appears in Minnesota, according to the MMCD.
Dig deeper:
MMCD officials say 2025 saw more than 120 human cases statewide, including 50 in the Twin Cities, making it a record year for the virus manifesting throughout the state.
Culex tarsalis mosquitoes are the main carriers of West Nile virus to humans, MMCD says.
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Minnesota mosquito forecast: Control efforts underway
It’s that time of year when mosquitoes are starting to make a comeback. Metropolitan Mosquito Control District crews are out and about in the Twin Cities checking mapped wetlands for developing mosquito larvae.
What's next:
The MMCD says it is increasing surveillance and considering more mosquito treatments in areas where the risk is higher.
Minnesotans are encouraged to wear insect repellent, cover exposed skin and empty standing water to help prevent mosquito bites, in turn reducing the potential risk of contracting the virus.
The Source: Information provided by the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District.