The Southern Nevada Health District urges parents and guardians to beat the back-to-school rush by bringing their pre-schoolers, kindergartners, and 7th graders for mandatory vaccinations to one of its public health centers. This year, the first day of school for students in Clark County is Monday, August 12.

The Southern Nevada Health District hosted its first State of the Health District on Thursday to provide the public and stakeholders with highlights of agency accomplishments, an overview of the Community Health Needs Assessment developed in partnership with Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican, and a preview of new initiatives planned for the upcoming fiscal year.

The State of the Health District will celebrate the agency’s accomplishments, recognize achievements reached with community partners, set out policy goals for the upcoming fiscal year, and announce new public health initiatives to address healthy aging and recognize restaurants who implement environmentally-friendly practices.

People with HIV are living longer, healthier lives today because new treatments are available. The key is getting tested and getting into care! June 27 is National HIV Testing Day, and the Southern Nevada Health District is offering free rapid HIV testing from 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at its Sexual Health Clinic located at 280 S. Decatur Blvd.

The Las Vegas Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning in Nevada, and the Southern Nevada Health District is urging residents and visitors to take precautions now and throughout the summer.

The Southern Nevada Health District’s Mosquito Surveillance Program identified the first West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes of the season in the 89005 ZIP code. The first human case of West Nile virus in Southern Nevada was reported in April. 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.

On Sunday, June 2, the Southern Nevada Health District, Clark County, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas will hold The Mega-POD, a full-scale emergency response exercise at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The Southern Nevada Health District, Clark County, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas are planning a full-scale emergency response exercise called The Mega-POD to test plans that include dispensing medication to Southern Nevadans in a public health emergency. The exercise will include approximately 200 staff members from Clark County who will play multiple roles during the exercise.

The Southern Nevada Health District is raising awareness about hepatitis and encouraging people to get tested during Hepatitis Awareness Month, and on May 19, Hepatitis Testing Day. Millions of people in the United States are infected with hepatitis and many are not aware of their infection.

Las Vegas Aces players A’ja Wilson and Carolyn Swords will visit the first Slam Dunk Health program-winning classroom to recognize students’ commitment to living healthy lifestyles with more physical activity and healthy eating habits.

Are your baby’s shots up to date? The annual Southern Nevada Baby Fest Immunizations & Health Fair is the perfect opportunity to update your children’s immunizations. The event is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, May 3 at the Southern Nevada Health District’s 280 S. Decatur Blvd. Public Health Center. Low-cost immunizations will be available for kids who qualify, and parents can update their shots as well.

What does it take to be a Public Health Hero? Every year, the Southern Nevada Health District recognizes individuals or organizations whose actions have served to improve the health status of the community. This year, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) volunteers Maria Soto-Henry and Michael Slonina, and Clark County Code Enforcement’s Lt. Dave Pollex were honored.

An Immunizations & Health Fair to commemorate National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW). Immunizations will be available for both children and adults during Baby Fest. Low-cost or free immunizations will be available for infants and children who qualify.

Nevada ranks 39th nationwide in funding programs that prevent kids from using tobacco and help smokers quit, according to a report released today by leading public health groups.

Today, the Southern Nevada Health District issued a call-to-action to community partners and health care providers to implement HIV/AIDS interventions and strategies to achieve the goal of 90-90-90 in Nevada.

The Southern Nevada Health District is issuing a call-to-action to community partners and health care providers to implement interventions and strategies to achieve 90-90-90 in Nevada.

The demand for flu vaccine typically decreases after the end of November, and National Influenza Vaccination Week, scheduled for December 2-8, highlights the importance of continuing flu vaccination throughout the holiday season and beyond.

On Thursday, Nov. 15 many smokers will pledge to go smoke-free, even if it’s just for one day. The Great American Smokeout has provided an opportunity for smokers to commit to leading healthier lives for more than 40 years, and the Southern Nevada Health District has cessation resources, tools, and information to support them in their journey. The Great American Smokeout is an opportunity for smokers to kick the habit for at least one day with the hope that it could lead to a permanent change. The Health District encourages tobacco users to take up the one-day challenge that can lead to a long-term plan to quit for good. The Health District’s GetHealthyClarkCounty.org website has cessation resources as well as information about tobacco products, smoke-free living, and smoke-free meeting spaces.

In the United States, approximately 84 million people have prediabetes, and nine out of 10 of them do not know it. Prediabetes increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. During American Diabetes Month, the Southern Nevada Health District encourages everyone to take the prediabetes risk test, speak with a health care provider about their risks of developing the disease, and take steps to reverse prediabetes. The Health District and its community partners offer education, self-management classes, and support for people with diabetes and their families as well as programs that can help people lower their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. For more information about available resources, visit the Health District's Get Healthy Clark County website or its Spanish-language site Viva Saludable.

The Southern Nevada Health District is reporting that illegal dumping complaints increased by 28 percent in Clark County from 2016 to 2017. Complaints of material that have been illegally disposed of include trash, sewage, and hazardous material waste. In 2016, the Health District received 1,223 illegal dumping complaints, in 2017 the number of complaints increased to 1,575, and in 2018 the number of calls, emails, and information received through the Health District’s website has continued to increase.

On Friday, Nov. 2 and Saturday, Nov. 3, teams from the Southern Nevada Health District will begin interviewing household members in Las Vegas about how extreme heat impacts them and their families. These neighborhood surveys are part of the Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) technique to gather information to assist in emergency planning and response efforts. The goal of this CASPER survey is to understand how extreme heat affects Clark County residents and how local response agencies and Southern Nevadans can better prepare for such events. In 2017, the Health District reported 123 heat-related deaths among Clark County residents.

The Southern Nevada Health District received notification from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirming the first case of Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) in a child in Clark County. The Health District will not be releasing identifying information related to individual cases of illness.

The Solid Waste Hearing Officer, under authority granted in Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 444.629, conducts monthly hearings to settle cases involving illegal dumping and other solid waste matters.

The Southern Nevada Health District and the Southern Nevada HIV Awareness Consortium will offer rapid HIV screenings, syphilis testing, and additional health services on Saturday, October 13 to commemorate National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day. In the United States, Hispanics/Latinos accounted for approximately 26 percent of new HIV diagnoses in 2016 although they are only approximately 18 percent of the population. The testing event will take place from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 13 at Bonanza Plaza, 4250 E. Bonanza Rd., Las Vegas, NV. For more information, contact Rosita Castillo, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, Inc., (702) 239-6217.

In commemoration of World Environmental Health Day, the Southern Nevada Health District is hosting its second Environmental Health Expo on Wednesday, Sept. 26. The public is invited to the Health District's main location at 280 S. Decatur Blvd. from 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. to learn more about environmental health programs, participate in hands-on demonstrations, view exhibits, and much more. Health District staff and partners will provide information about their role in keeping the community healthy at this free, family-friendly event.

If it's not too early to order a pumpkin spice latte, then it's not too early to protect yourself and your family from the flu! The beginning of fall means that flu season is just around the corner, and the Southern Nevada Health District is offering the injectable quadrivalent (four-strain) flu vaccine as well as the high-dose vaccine for people age 65 and older at its public health centers. Cost of the flu vaccine is covered by most insurance with no copay. For more information, visit the Immunization Program's Flu Vaccine Clinic page or call the clinic at (702) 759-0850.

The Solid Waste Hearing Officer, under authority granted in Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 444.629, conducts monthly hearings to settle cases involving illegal dumping and other solid waste matters. At the September 13, 2018 hearing, the following cases were adjudicated:

LAS VEGAS – Now that school is in session, the Southern Nevada Health District encourages parents to re-establish healthy routines for their kids. With online tips and tools, parents can learn about Safe Routes to school, prepare healthier school day breakfasts and lunches, and search for walking trails for the whole family. Visit Get healthy Clark County, www.GetHealthyClarkCounty.org for information.