Southern Nevada Health District will conduct a mosquito fogging operation on Saturday, June 17

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 16, 2017

LAS VEGAS — The Southern Nevada Health District’s Vector Control Program continues to identify Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in the 89032 ZIP code area. In response, the agency will conduct a secondary mosquito control operation during the early morning hours of Saturday, June 17 in its ongoing efforts to reduce the invasive Aedes mosquito population. The Health District continues to urge the community to implement personal mosquito control measures.

The Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were first detected in Southern Nevada in the 89032 ZIP Code area of Clark County on May 31, 2017, by the Health District’s Vector Surveillance Program. The agency’s response has included setting more than 240 mosquito traps throughout the affected community to better assess the extent of the population, providing mosquito breeding and bite prevention information to the residents, and targeted larval and adult control activities.

“As we conduct our enhanced surveillance activities, we continue to identify Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in the community,” said Dr. Joe Iser, Chief Health Officer for the Southern Nevada Health District. “Our findings all indicate the population of this species is still small, and we want to do everything we can to ensure it stays this way.”

The Health District continues to urge the public to do their part by eliminating standing water around their homes that serve as breeding sources for mosquitoes, protecting themselves from mosquito bites, and reporting all mosquito activity to the Health District. Unlike mosquitoes that can transmit West Nile virus and are most active at dawn and dusk, Aedes mosquitoes are more aggressive during the day. Mosquito activity can be reported to the Vector Surveillance Program at (702) 759-1633. The Aedes mosquito is responsible for transmitting several diseases including dengue fever, chikungunya, and the Zika virus. To date, no mosquitoes tested have been positive for disease.

The fogging operation will take place in the same area as the June 8 operation. The area is defined by the cross streets of Alexander Road and Decatur Blvd. and Valley Drive and Gowan Road. A truck with a spray-mounted fogger will be used to apply Duet, a product registered for mosquito control by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency comprised of active ingredients for mosquito control recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Residents do not need to take any special measures during the application.

St. Louis Encephalitis

The Health District has identified the first St. Louis Encephalitis positive mosquitoes in the 89120 ZIP Code.

West Nile virus positive mosquitoes have previously been reported in the 89011, 89110, and 88146 ZIP Code areas. To date, the Health District reported 22 cases of Zika virus in Clark County residents in 2016. Twenty-one cases were travel-associated, and one was sexually transmitted. There has been one travel-associated case reported in 2017. One West Nile virus case has been reported this season. Up to date information on surveillance activities is available at www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/mosquito-control/index.php.

Mosquito Control 

• • Check your yard weekly for water-filled containers or after every use of sprinklers or rain.
  • Throw away or recycle water-holding containers that are not needed.
  • If empty containers or large objects, such as boats or old appliances must be stored, they should be covered, turned over, or placed under a roof that does not allow them to fill with water.
  • Clean and scrub bird baths and pet-watering dishes weekly and dump the water from overflow dishes under potted plants and flower pots.
  • Fill tree holes and other cavities in plants with sand or soil.
  • Eliminate areas of standing water around your home, including non-circulating ponds, “green” swimming pools, and accumulated sprinkler runoff, which support mosquito breeding.
  • Check for hidden bodies of water such as wells, septic tanks, manholes, clogged drains, etc.
  • Call the Health District to report mosquitoes.

Prevent Mosquito Bites

• • Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), or 2-undecanone. Always follow instructions when applying insect repellent to children.
  • Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months old.
  • Do not apply insect repellent onto a child’s hands, eyes, mouth, and cut or irritated skin.
  • Adults: Spray insect repellent onto your hands and then apply to a child’s face.
  • Do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD) on children under 3 years old.
  • Wear pants and long-sleeved shirts to reduce mosquito exposure when outdoors.
  • Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens without tears or holes.
  • If you are outdoors in a mosquito infested area, place mosquito netting over infant carriers.
  • Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure.

For up-to-date information on Zika and travel recommendations visit the CDC website. For more information on mosquito surveillance activities in Southern Nevada access the Southern Nevada Health District website.

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.