Health District identifies first West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes

Area residents urged to take steps to reduce breeding sources

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 15, 2023

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

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

SNHD kicked off its 2023 mosquito surveillance campaign in May. During mosquito season, SNHD Environmental Health staff set 50 to 60 traps per day for weeks at a time at parks, wash channels, wetland areas and other potential breeding sites across the valley. Mosquitoes are captured in the field and transported to a laboratory at SNHD’s Main Public Health Center, where they are sorted and cataloged. The samples are then tested for harmful arboviruses. So far this year, SNHD staff have set more than 1,100 mosquito traps and have tested more than 7,000 mosquitoes.

The Fight the Bite campaign urges people to eliminate standing water, which provides a perfect home for mosquito larvae; prevent mosquito bites by taking proper precautions; and report mosquito activity to SNHD’s surveillance 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 that residents need to be vigilant about eliminating mosquito breeding sources while also protecting themselves from mosquito bites.” Dr. Leguen noted that National Mosquito Control Awareness Week is June 18-24, an opportunity to shed light on the critical importance of managing mosquitoes in the community and safeguarding public health.

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.