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Health department warns of spike in encephalitis mosquitoes

Posted at 2:35 PM, Jun 10, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-30 00:45:06-04

Mosquitoes that have tested positive for St. Louis Encephalitis have been found in Clark County.

The Southern Nevada Health District said June 29 that more than 4,300 mosquitoes have tested positive for the virus since its discovery in tested pool water was noted earlier this month.

There have been no reports of humans contracting SLE in Clark County since 2007. In addition, no West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes have been found so far this season in Clark County.

SLE is found mostly in eastern and central states according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Initial symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and tiredness.

Severe neuroinvasive disease occurs more commonly in older adults. In rare cases, long-term disability or death can result.

Click here for more information about the mosquito surveillance program.