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West Nile Virus

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West Nile virus is a potentially serious illness that is most often spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to humans and other animals. West Nile virus has been detected in all lower 48 states (but not in Hawaii or Alaska) and outbreaks of disease have been occurring in the United States every summer since 1999.

The first human cases of West Nile virus in Clark County, along with the first positive mosquitoes, were reported in 2004. The health district conducts surveillance of mosquito populations to monitor the level of virus throughout the valley. Every year since then (except 2010), the virus has been found in both humans and mosquitoes. West Nile virus is now endemic in Clark County, which means we expect to see the virus every year during the mosquito season, which occurs April through November.

The most effective way to avoid West Nile virus disease is to prevent mosquito bites. You can play an important role in monitoring West Nile virus by reporting stagnant water, green swimming pools or other potential mosquito breeding sources to your local code enforcement agency. Visit the Mosquito Surveillance for more information on reporting mosquito activity to the health district. For additional information on West Nile virus visit the Frequently Asked Questions page or the Nevada Department of Agriculture’s website.

West Nile Virus – Public Health Updates & News Releases

25Jul 2019

Health District issues precautions as additional West Nile virus cases reported

Three more Clark County residents have tested positive for West Nile virus, and the Southern Nevada Health District is reminding the public to take precautions to protect themselves from this potentially serious disease. One individual is a male over the age of 50 who had the non-neuroinvasive form of the illness, and another is a female under the age of 50 who had the neuroinvasive form of the illness. The third individual is a male over the age of 50 who was asymptomatic and is classified as a presumptively viremic donor (PVD).

8Jul 2019

Health District reports second 2019 West Nile case

The Southern Nevada Health District is reporting its second human case of West Nile virus in Southern Nevada in 2019. The individual, a female under the age of 50, has the more serious neuroinvasive form of the illness and has been hospitalized. The Health District reported its first West Nile case in April in a woman over the age of 50 with the more serious form of the illness; she has since recovered. There were no reported human cases of West Nile virus in Clark County last year.

26Apr 2019

Health District reports first 2019 West Nile case

The Southern Nevada Health District is reporting its first human case of West Nile virus in Southern Nevada in 2019. The individual, a female over the age of 50, had the more serious neuroinvasive form of the illness and has recovered. There were no reported human cases of West Nile virus in Clark County last year.

10Apr 2019

‘Tis the Season – Mosquito Season, that is!

LAS VEGAS – As temperatures increase in Southern Nevada, so does mosquito activity, and so do the activities of the Southern Nevada Health District’s Mosquito Surveillance Program staff. The Health District is reminding residents to “Fight the Bite” this season by eliminating standing water around their home, preventing mosquito bites by wearing an EPA-registered repellent, and reporting mosquito activity to the Health District by calling (702) 759-1633.

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Contact Information

Phone:
(702) 759-1633

Updated on: October 21, 2019 4:06 pm

2019-10-21T16:06:01-07:00
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