SNHD Reports Clark County Third Human West Nile Virus Case
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 14, 2006
LAS VEGAS – September 14, 2006 – The Southern Nevada Health District today reported Clark County’s third human West Nile virus case for 2006. The individual is over the age of 50 and it is believed that the illness was contracted in Illinois. In two previously reported cases, it is believed that neither individual contracted the illness in Southern Nevada.
The Southern Nevada Health District’s mosquito surveillance program has detected West Nile virus in additional mosquitoes in Clark County. The affected mosquitoes were found in Overton (89040) at the Cooper Street Wash and at a farm, and in Henderson (89011) at the wastewater site/bird viewing preserve. All positive mosquitoes in Clark County have been detected since August.
Future public health updates on positive mosquitoes will be posted to the Southern Nevada Health District website: www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org.
The Southern Nevada Health District reminds residents to take steps to minimize exposure to mosquito bites and to control the mosquito population. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following to reduce individual risk of mosquito-borne illness:
- Eliminate areas of standing water, including bird baths, un-maintained swimming pools and sprinkler runoff, which support mosquito breeding.
- Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens without tears or holes.
- Avoid spending time outside when mosquitoes are most active, notably at dusk (the first two hours after sunset) and dawn.
- Wear pants and long-sleeved shirts, when outdoors.
- Apply an insect repellent containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) according to manufacturer’s directions. Repellents containing picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus also have some efficacy. However, DEET is the best-studied and most-effective repellant available.
For additional information on West Nile virus, visit the health district website at www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org. The public may also call the West Nile virus hotline at (702) 759-1220 with questions, concerns or to report standing water, dead birds and mosquitoes.
Visit the Media Contacts webpage for media related inquiries.
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.