Moapa Valley Progress

The Southern Nevada Health District reported last week that two mosquito pools in Logandale near Bowman Reservoir have tested positive for West Nile virus. The health district is reminding the public that West Nile virus can be prevented by using insect repellants and eliminating sources of standing water which support mosquito breeding.

With the identification of positive mosquitoes in one area of Clark County it is likely that West Nile virus infected mosquitoes are present throughout the valley and precautions against the disease are recommended for all residents and visitors.

West Nile virus is spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes, which acquire the virus by feeding on infected birds. The illness is not spread person to person. Many people with the virus will have no symptoms or very mild clinical symptoms of illness. Mild symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest stomach, and back. In some cases the virus can cause severe illness and even death. In 2010, no human cases of West Nile virus were reported in Clark County.

The health district’s environmental health specialists routinely survey and treat known breeding sources for mosquitoes and trap them for identification. In addition to West Nile virus, mosquitoes are also tested for Western equine encephalitis and St. Louis encephalitis.

The health district is no longer treating breeding sources on private properties, such as green pools.

The health district recommends the following to prevent mosquito bites and to eliminate breeding sources:

• Apply an insect repellent containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) according to manufacturer’s directions. Repellents containing picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus also have some efficacy. However, DEET is the best-studied and most-effective repellant available.

• Wear pants and long-sleeved shirts, when outdoors.

• Avoid spending time outside when mosquitoes are most active, notably at dusk (the first two hours after sunset) and dawn.

• Eliminate areas of standing water, including bird baths, “green” swimming pools and sprinkler runoff, which support mosquito breeding.