Public Health Update: Southern Nevada Health District to conduct mosquito fogging operation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 4, 2017

LAS VEGAS – The Southern Nevada Health District’s Vector Surveillance Program will be conducting a mosquito control operation in the 89032 ZIP code area during the early morning hours of Saturday, August 5, as part of its comprehensive strategy to control the Aedes mosquito population. The Health District continues to provide mosquito breeding prevention messages to the community and urges residents to remove any residential stagnant water sources. Mosquito activity can be reported to the Vector Surveillance Program at (702) 759-1633.

This will be the fourth fogging operation conducted by the Health District. The Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were first detected by the Health District’s Vector Surveillance Program in the 89032 ZIP code area of Clark County on May 31, 2017. The agency’s response has included setting 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.

The mosquitoes that can transmit the West Nile virus are most active at dawn and dusk, while Aedes mosquitoes are more aggressive during the day. The Aedes aegypti species typically live near and prefer to feed on people and are the main type of mosquito that transmits dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and other viruses. To date, none of the mosquitoes have tested positive for disease.

The area being fogged is defined by the cross streets of Alexander Rd. and Decatur Blvd. and Craig Rd. and Allen Ln. 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.

The Health District recommends the additional mosquito control and prevention tips:

Mosquito Control

Check your yard weekly for water-filled containers or after every use of sprinklers.
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.