The Southern Nevada Health District’s Mosquito Surveillance Program identified the first West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes of the season in the 89122 zip code.
The 89122 zip code includes the area on the far east side of town, including parts of the Clark County Wetlands Park west to Nellis Boulevard and Vegas Valley Drive to Russell Road to the south.
RELATED: Reno mosquitoes test positive for West Nile Virus
To date, there have been no human cases of West Nile illness reported.
Mosquitoes acquire West Nile 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.
In 2017, the Health District reported three cases of West Nile virus.
The Health District’s Mosquito Surveillance Program is continuing its surveillance to identify the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which are capable of transmitting Zika, chikungunya, and dengue. Unlike mosquitoes that can transmit West Nile virus and are most active at dawn and dusk, Aedes mosquitoes are more aggressive during the day. They are known to breed near homes, in smaller water sources, and primarily bite humans. Since they were first identified in 2017, the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes have been found in the 89130, 89131, 89031 and 89032 ZIP codes.
In addition to Zika, West Nile virus, and St. Louis Encephalitis, the Southern Nevada Health District’s Mosquito 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.
Residents are urged to report all mosquito activity to the Health District, particularly day-biting mosquitoes. Mosquito activity can be reported to the Mosquito Surveillance Program at (702) 759-1633.
