Saskatchewan sees first 3 cases of West Nile

Three Saskatchewan residents have contracted West Nile virus, the first human cases in the province this year, health officials say.

The neurological disease, which is spread by mosquitoes, can cause flu-like symptoms and in rare cases paralysis or even death.

Two of the three Saskatchewan cases are from the Regina area while the other one is from Yorkton. Information about the severity of their symptoms wasn't available.

"These cases were acquired about two weeks ago," said Ross Findlater, the province's chief medical health officer.

"Part of it, a large part of it, is the heat and certainly there's been enough rain, so it's really ideal growing conditions for the mosquitoes."

The risk of getting a serious form of the disease is higher for people over 50, according to Findlater.

Health officials caution there's no need to panic.

West Nile infection peaked in Saskatchewan in 2003, with 947 people infected and seven deaths. However, the number of cases has decreased each year since then.

Last year, only 20 people had the virus, and no one died.

As a precaution, people are advised to apply bug spray, wear long sleeves and long pants and avoid going out at dusk and dawn.