2ND UPDATE AUG. 8: The Southern Nevada Health District is reporting an additional case of West Nile virus, bring the year’s total to 16. The individual is a male over the age of 50 with the neuroinvasive form of the illness. Of the 16 reported cases, 11 have had the more serious, neuroinvasive form of the illness.
UPDATE AUG. 8: The Southern Nevada Health District is reporting 3 more cases of West Nile virus in Clark County. That brings the total to 15. One individual is a female under the age of 50 with the non-neuroinvasive form of the illness. The other two individuals are both male, under the age of 50, with the non-neuroinvasive form of the illness. Of the 15 reported cases, 10 had the more serious, neuroinvasive form of the illness.
UPDATE AUG. 6: Another person has been diagnosed with West Nile virus. That brings the total up to 12 cases this year in Clark County. The individual is a male over the age of 50 with the neuroinvasive form of the illness. Ten of the 12 cases reported to the Health District have had the more serious, neuroinvasive form of the illness.
ORIGINAL STORY
The Southern Nevada Health District reports three more Clark County residents have neuroinvasive illness caused by the West Nile virus. All three individuals are male, and over the age of 50. These new cases bring the year’s total to 11. Nine of the 11 cases reported to the Health District had the neuroinvasive form of the illness.
“We are clearly seeing ongoing transmission of disease in both people and mosquitoes,” said Dr. Joe Iser, Chief Health Officer of the Southern Nevada Health District. “Our message to the public is that West Nile virus is here, but it is preventable. Use FDA-registered repellent when you are outdoors and eliminate standing water around your homes to prevent mosquito bites and reduce your risk.”
PREVIOUS STORY: 2 additional cases of West Nile virus reported in Clark County
To date, mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile virus in 32 unique ZIP codes throughout Clark County. The Health District’s Mosquito Surveillance Program staff have submitted more than 35,000 mosquitoes for testing. In addition to West Nile virus, the program conducts surveillance for other mosquito-borne diseases such as St. Louis encephalitis. Mosquitoes testing positive for the St. Louis encephalitis virus have been found in 11 ZIP codes in the county.
Current ZIP codes where West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes have been found include: 89005, 89002, 89014, 89021, 89030, 89031, 89032, 89035, 89040, 89052, 89084, 89101, 89102, 89106, 89107, 89108, 89110, 89117, 89118, 89120, 89122, 89123, 89128, 89129, 89131, 89135, 89138, 89139, 89143, 89149, 89166, and 89178. The Health District emphasizes the risk of West Nile virus is not limited to these areas, and people should take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites whenever they are outdoors.
