In Southern Nevada, over 3,000 mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile Virus in the health district's first announcement on the matter Monday. The Southern Nevada Health District announced that 91 mosquito pools, made up of 3,081 mosquitoes from 16 zip codes, tested positive for the virus. Additional pools, which includes 46 mosquitos from two zip codes, tested positive for the virus that caused St. Louis encephalitis.
The district is reminding residents to protect themselves from mosquitos amid increased complaints of mosquito activity throughout the valley. Health officials attribute the rise in activity and awareness to the expansion of Aedes aegypti mosquitos throughout the region.
Aedes aegypti, known to be aggressive daytime biters that prefer feeding on people instead of birds, have tested positive for West Nile Virus for the first time in Clark County. The last time mosquitoes in the area tested positive for St. Louis encephalitis was in 2019 and there have been no human cases since 2016.
The Southern Nevada Health District is encouraging residents to help prevent mosquito-borne illnesses through its “Fight the Bite” campaign, which includes tips such as eliminating standing water and other breeding sources around their homes. Prevent mosquito bites by using an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellent. Report mosquito activity to the Health District's surveillance program at (702) 759-1633. To see where mosquitoes are testing positive, check out the Southern Nevada Health District's mosquito surveillance map.
In addition to West Nile Virus, two human cases of St. Louis encephalitis were reported in Clark County in 2016. Mosquito-borne illnesses can be prevented by getting rid of standing water and using insect repellent to prevent mosquito bites.
According to health officials, about one in five people infected with the virus will develop symptoms of fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. About one in 150 will develop more serious illnesses. To report a green pool, people should contact their local code enforcement agency.
The Southern Nevada Health District's Mosquito Surveillance Program has received an increased number of complaints from residents about mosquito activity, which health officials attribute partly to the increased presence of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in the area. These mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile Virus for the first time in Clark County.
In 2019, only two human cases of West Nile Virus were reported in Southern Nevada. Humans can become infected with the virus if bitten by a mosquito that is infected with the virus. In some cases, one in 150 people could develop a more serious illness.
Health officials encouraged the public to take preventive steps to protect themselves from mosquito-borne illnesses, including getting rid of standing water, which can be a breeding source for mosquitoes, as well as using insect repellent to prevent mosquito bites. The Southern Nevada Health District's Mosquito Surveillance Program provides information on where the highest concentrations of mosquitos are and what types they are. This information is used to target control efforts and keep residents informed about potential health risks.
