West Nile virus found in Las Vegas
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West Nile Virus was found in mosquitoes in one Las Vegas zip code. Video by ktnv.com
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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- The Southern Nevada Health District is reporting that it has found its first West Nile positive mosquitoes in the Las Vegas valley.
The positive mosquitoes were found in the 89107 zip code. So far, there have not been any cases of humans contracting the virus in Clark County.
A 2-year-old horse in Churchill County tested positive earlier in the month. The horse, which had not been vaccinated in the past year, was euthanized.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, West Nile virus infections and illness rates are on record pace this year with more than 1,100 cases and 40 deaths through the middle of August. Half of those deaths have been in Texas.
Since positive mosquitoes have been found in one area of the valley, it is likely that they are present throughout the valley and precautions against the disease are recommended for all residents and visitors.
The virus is spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes, which acquire the virus by feeding on infected birds.
The illness is not spread person to person. Many of the people do not have any symptoms or very mild symptoms.
Symptoms can include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and swollen lymph glands.
There were 16 reported cases in Nevada last year. Eleven of those were in Clark County.
West Nile virus can be prevented by using insect repellents and eliminating sources of standing water which support mosquito breeding.
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