FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 10, 2019
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.
Health District surveillance activities include setting traps in potential breeding areas that may include public and private property. The Mosquito Surveillance Program uses a few different types of traps that people may see in parks, washes, drainage ditches, or areas of standing water on public property. Traps set on private property are only placed with the permission of the owner. Each trap provides a different method of attracting mosquitoes and targets specific species.
Traps used by the Health District include:
Encephalitis Vector Surveillance (EVS) traps: Designed to attract host-seeking female mosquitoes using carbon dioxide (dry ice) as the primary attractant. This trap is designed to capture several types of mosquitoes including Culex, Anopheles, and Aedes.
Gravid traps: Designed to capture egg-laden (gravid) female mosquitoes using a baited water solution intended to simulate stagnant water found in the environment. This trap is designed to primarily capture Culex mosquitoes.
BG Sentinel Traps: These traps utilize color cues, artificially generated air plumes, and a scent lure to attract mosquitoes. This trap is designed to attract Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti.
Mosquitoes in Southern Nevada have been found with viruses that cause West Nile and St. Louis Encephalitis. In addition to the mosquitoes that can transmit these diseases, the Health District has also identified Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Clark County. This is the species that can spread diseases like Zika, dengue fever, and chikungunya. To date, no mosquitoes have tested positive for these viruses.
More information on the Health District’s Mosquito Surveillance activities is available on its website at www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/programs/mosquito-surveillance/. For additional information and prevention tips visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at www.cdc.gov/features/stopmosquitoes/index.html.
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.