Health District identifies first mosquitoes positive for West Nile virus – Southern Nevada Health District

LA VEGAS – The Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) Mosquito Disease Surveillance Program identified the first West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes of the season in the 89074 ZIP code. The analysis was conducted by the health laboratory public in southern Nevada. West Nile virus (WNV), the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States, is most commonly transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are no vaccines to prevent or drugs to treat WNV in humans.

About 1 in 5 people infected with WNV develop fever and other symptoms. About 1 in 150 infected people develop severe, sometimes fatal disease. WNV reached unprecedented activity in Clark County in 2019, with 43 human cases, including one death. There has been minimal WNV activity in 2020, 2021, and 2022. So far in 2023, no human cases of WNV have been reported in Clark County.

SNHD launched its 2023 mosquito monitoring campaign in May. During mosquito season, SNHD environmental health staff set up 50-60 traps a day for weeks in parks, washouts, wetlands and other potential breeding sites across the valley. Mosquitoes are captured in the field and transported to a laboratory at the Principal Public Health Center of SNHD, where they are sorted and cataloged. The samples are then tested for harmful arboviruses. So far this year, SNHD staff have installed over 1,100 mosquito traps and tested over 7,000 mosquitoes.

The Fight the Bite campaign urges people to eliminate standing water, which provides an ideal haven for mosquito larvae; prevent mosquito bites by taking appropriate precautions; and report mosquito activity to the SNHD monitoring program at (702) 759-1633. To report a green pool, people should contact their local code enforcement agency. Additional information is available on the SNHD website.

District Health Officer Dr. Fermin Leguen said, “The positive mosquito results illustrate that West Nile virus is active in southern Nevada and residents should be vigilant about eliminating sources. mosquito breeding while protecting themselves from mosquito bites. Dr. Leguen noted that National Mosquito Awareness Week runs from June 18-24, an opportunity to shed light on the critical importance of community mosquito management and protection of the environment. public health.