West Nile-positive mosquitoes have been found in three Las Vegas-area ZIP codes, and health officials are telling residents to check their yards, pools, and patios for standing water.
The Southern Nevada Health District first identified positive mosquitoes collected in the 89121 ZIP code as part of its routine mosquito surveillance program.
The agency later said mosquitoes also tested positive in 89169 and 89139. FOX5 Vegas reported that the later detections were in the central valley and Enterprise areas.
At home, the first places to check are the spots where water sits unnoticed after sprinklers, rain, or pool use. Pool covers, plant saucers, pet bowls, toys, clogged gutters, birdbaths, fountains, and green pools can all become mosquito breeding spots if the water is left there long enough.
The Health District Started Surveillance Early
The Southern Nevada Health District said it began routine mosquito surveillance in March, about one month earlier than usual, because warmer temperatures and rainfall had created favorable conditions for mosquito development.
The agency said it will conduct additional trapping and testing in the areas where positive mosquitoes were found to monitor mosquito activity and determine whether West Nile virus is still circulating.
Standing Water Around Homes Is the Main Yard Check
The health district’s Fight the Bite guidance tells residents to eliminate standing water around homes, use an EPA-registered insect repellent, wear protective clothing, and report mosquito activity to the surveillance program at 702-759-1633.
The agency also tells residents to report green pools to local code enforcement. Its prevention guidance says mosquito larvae can develop in standing water in seven to 10 days, and the size of the container does not matter.
At home, the health district points residents to pool covers, wading pools, ornamental ponds, boats, animal troughs, pet dishes, buckets, barrels, old tires, gutters, irrigation seepage, and air-conditioner drain outlets as places where water should be removed, changed, drained, or reported.
Most Infections Cause No Symptoms
West Nile virus spreads to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. The health district says most people infected with the virus do not develop symptoms.
Some people may develop fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. In rare cases, infection can lead to serious neurological illness.