West Nile numbers top 1,200 in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan broke a record for West Nile virus cases last week and the numbers continued to climb this week.

On Friday, the Saskatchewan Health Department said 1,214 people have now been infected or are believed to be infected by the virus this year up from 1,054 cases last week.

The number of people who have died after contracting West Nile remains at four.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, Saskatchewan has had more West Nile cases this year than the rest of the country's provinces and territories combined.

The previous annual record for West Nile virus was 947 cases in 2003. Seven people died that year after contracting the virus.

West Nile virus can lead to flu-like symptoms, but in more severe cases, there can be neurological illness or even death.

It's spread by mosquitoes, which have been in plentiful supply in Saskatchewan this year due to a warm and moist spring and summer.