Public Health Update

Weekly Arbovirus Report – August 23, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 23, 2019

LAS VEGAS – The Southern Nevada Health District Arbovirus report for the week of August 19-23 is available at www.snhd.info/wn-updates. The Southern Nevada Health District is reporting 10 additional West Nile virus cases for a total of 29 cases. The individuals are nine males, six of whom are over the age 50, three under the age of 50; and one female over the age of 50. Seven of the new cases have the more serious neuroinvasive form of the illness.

The Health District is reminding the public that West Nile virus is preventable. West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people with the virus will have no symptoms or very mild symptoms of illness. About one in five people will develop mild symptoms, which include fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. About one in 150 people who are infected develop the more severe illness. The Health District continues to urge people to take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites. Precautions include:

• Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents with one of the active ingredients below.
  • DEET
  • Picaridin (known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the US)
  • IR3535
  • Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
  • 2-undecanone
• Wear pants and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors.
• Eliminate areas of standing water, including birdbaths, “green” swimming pools, and sprinkler runoff, which support mosquito breeding.

For more information visit the Health District’s website at www.snhd.info/west-nile.

Note: A previously reported case has been reclassified as a neuroinvasive case.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.