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Health District identifies West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes

Posted at 1:45 PM, Jul 25, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-25 20:56:57-04
The Southern Nevada Health District’s Vector Surveillance Program has identified the first West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes of the season.
 
One West Nile virus submission pool totaling three mosquitoes was identified in the 89032 ZIP code.
 
Additionally, a horse in the 89021 ZIP code has tested positive for West Nile virus.
 
Horses, like people, are susceptible to the virus through the bite of an infected mosquito. Updated information on positive mosquito submission pools and mosquitoes that are tested in Clark County are posted on the Health District’s website.
 
Mosquitoes acquire the virus by feeding on infected birds. The illness is not spread from person to person.
 
Many people with the virus will have no symptoms or very mild clinical symptoms of illness. Mild symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach, and back. In some cases the virus can cause severe illness and even death.
 
Ongoing surveillance by the Health District has not detected Aedes albopictus or Aedes aegypti, the species known to spread the Zika virus as well as chikungunya and dengue. For information about prevention tips, visit the Health District’s Mosquito Surveillance page.
 
In addition to Zika, West Nile virus, and St. Louis Encephalitis, the Southern Nevada Health District’s Vector Surveillance Program regularly tests mosquito pools for Western Equine Encephalitis, which is occasionally identified in Clark County.
 
Residents can report green swimming pools and standing or stagnant water sources to local code enforcement agencies. Contact information for local jurisdictions’ code enforcement is available on the Health District website.
 
For more information on eliminating breeding sources, visit the CDC’s Controlling Mosquitoes at Home page for a list of tips.