Posted at 11:07 a.m., Thursday, August 9, 2007
West Nile virus found in mosquitoes southeast of Vegas
Associated Press
LAS VEGAS — West Nile virus has been found in mosquitoes in an area southeast of Las Vegas, officials said, prompting a Southern Nevada Health District advisory for Clark County residents to take precautions against mosquito bites."Mosquitoes are a fact of life here in southern Nevada," health district spokeswoman Stephanie Bethel said Thursday of the positive test that she said came from a mosquito cluster in an area including several golf courses, a nature preserve and the Desert Wetlands Park east of Sam Boyd Stadium.
"We want people to protect themselves from being bitten by mosquitoes. That will reduce the chance off contracting West Nile virus," she said.
There have been two human cases of West Nile virus reported in Nevada this year — a Clark County man who Bethel identified only as over the age 50, and a Pershing County resident under the age of 50. Both were said to have mild symptoms.
Mosquitoes tested positive for the virus last week in three of 203 pools tested throughout the state, said Martha Framsted, spokeswoman for the Nevada Department of Agriculture. One of those pools was in Lyon County, and two were in Churchill County, where a bird also tested positive for the virus last month. Mosquitoes in Elko tested positive for the virus last month.
Officials say the mere presence of West Nile virus in mosquitoes does not necessarily increase chances of humans contracting the illness. It is spread by mosquitoes biting humans after feeding on infected birds.
Few people bitten by an infected mosquito become seriously ill, officials say, although people over 50 and those with weak immune systems are especially vulnerable.
West Nile fever can cause flulike symptoms such as fever and muscle weakness, while severe cases can lead to West Nile encephalitis, inflammation of the brain, disorientation, convulsions and paralysis.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tallied both Nevada cases among 308 reported across the country this year. Eleven deaths have been attributed to West Nile virus nationwide, including five in California.
Last year, 4,269 human cases of the disease were reported by the CDC in Atlanta, including 124 in Nevada. Officials say 177 people died nationwide, including one person in Nevada.
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On the Web:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, West Nile site: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm
