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For the first time this year, a mosquito in the Las Vegas Valley tested positive for West Nile virus, the Southern Nevada Health District announced on Friday
. 89122 ZIP code, near Clark County Wetlands Park in the southeast Las Vegas Valley, according to a press release. No human cases of West Nile virus were reported on Friday.
Mosquitoes that can transmit West Nile virus are most active at dawn and dusk and infect by feeding on infected birds. People who are bitten by leeches often develop very mild symptoms or none at all. Mild symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph nodes or rashes on the chest, stomach and back.
But West Nile virus can cause serious illness. According to the statement, the health district reported three cases of the virus in 2017.
Mosquitoes capable of transmitting West Nile virus are not the same as those who can transmit the Zika virus, which are active during the day. Mosquitoes capable of carrying Zika have been found in four postcodes in North Las Vegas since 2017, although no cases of disease have been transmitted locally.
The Health District routinely tests West Nile virus mosquitoes, Zika, St Louis Encephalitis, and Western Equine Encephalitis, all of which can be fatal and have been found in Clark County.
Residents may report green pools and stagnant or standing water sources to local code enforcement agencies. They are also encouraged to report mosquito activity, particularly mosquitoes that bite during the day, at the Health District Mosquito Surveillance Program at 702-759-1633. More information can be found on the district health website, southernnevadahealthdistrict.org.
Contact Katelyn Newberg at [email protected] or 702-383-0240. Follow @k_newberg on Twitter.
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