Public Health Update – West Nile Virus
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 21, 2012
The Southern Nevada Health District is reporting an additional human case of West Nile in a 51-year-old woman with the less serious form of the illness. She was not hospitalized. In addition, West Nile positive mosquito pools were identified in the 89121 and 89124 zip codes. Cooler temperatures and shorter daylight hours are expected to diminish mosquito breeding and risk for infection, however, the health district continues to remind Southern Nevadans they can take precautions against West Nile virus.
Among the seven previously reported human cases in Southern Nevada this year, three patients had a less serious form of the illness, and five were hospitalized. One patient has died. The death was the fourth West Nile-related death in Clark County since 2003.
This summer, the health district’s vector control program identified West Nile-positive mosquito pools in the 89011, 89107, 89141, 89145 zip codes and the 89029 zip code in Laughlin. The Nevada Department of Agriculture reported that an unvaccinated horse in the 89130 zip code contracted West Nile disease. There is currently no vaccine for people. The link to the Department of Agriculture is: http://agri.nv.gov/Animals/Animal_Home/.
With the identification of positive mosquito pools in Clark County it is likely that West Nile virus infected mosquitoes are present throughout the valley and precautions against the disease are recommended for all residents and visitors.
West Nile virus can be prevented by using insect repellents and eliminating sources of standing water which support mosquito breeding. For information about prevention tips, visit the health district’s West Nile virus pages on its website: http://www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/west-nile/index.php
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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.