Health officials in Southern Nevada are urging residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites as they report the region is experiencing the highest level of mosquito activity in known history, and it’s happening much earlier in the season than usual.
The agency noted that two pools, comprising 46 mosquitoes from two ZIP codes, have also tested positive for the virus that causes Saint Louis encephalitis—a rare mosquito-borne disease and member of the flavivirus genus.
While most people infected with the Saint Louis encephalitis virus have no apparent illness, initial symptoms of those who become ill include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and tiredness, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In rare cases, long-term disability or death can occur.
Health officials have attributed the increase to the expansion of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes throughout the region, explaining that Aedes-species mosquitoes are active during the day and are known to be “aggressive daytime biters that prefer feeding on people instead of birds.”
The species tested positive for the West Nile virus for the first time in Clark County, where the last human case was reported in 2016.
Protect Yourself From Mosquito Bites
Meanwhile, the City of Las Vegas released a statement on June 10 offering tips for residents on how to protect themselves from mosquito bites, including using repellent when outdoors, wearing long sleeves, and wearing long pants.They also advised people to drain pools, puddles, and other standing water, where mosquitos lay their eggs.
“New numbers from the Southern Nevada Health District indicate that the Las Vegas area is experiencing a significant surge in West Nile Virus activity in mosquitoes,” city officials said.
While the West Nile virus can infect people of all ages, those above the age of 50 are at a higher risk of severe disease.
Most people infected with the virus will experience no symptoms, but in rare cases, the virus can develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness. More serious symptoms include severe headaches, confusion, muscle weakness, or paralysis.
There are no vaccines or medicines to deal with the West Nile virus.
About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms, while about 1 in 150 people develop a serious illness that can be deadly, according to the CDC.
“The death rate among those showing symptoms of severe West Nile infection (encephalitis or meningitis) is around 10%,” according to the Health Department. “Most severe cases occur in elderly people.”
West Nile virus is rarely transmitted from person to person, as generally, mosquitoes are the primary vector. The primary hosts of the virus are birds, officials say.
