West Nile hits 3 more residents of Clark County

Friday, Sept. 3, 2004 | 10:46 a.m.

West Nile virus continues to spread, as three more people were sickened in Clark County over the past week, bringing the county's total to 17, according to the Clark County Health District.

Of the total, eight cases are confirmed, meaning blood samples have been double-checked by specialists in California; and nine are listed as probable, meaning they tested positive at a local lab.

Statewide, a total of 25 people have fallen ill from the mosquito-borne virus, making Nevada the sixth most infected state this year, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control, which tracks the disease.

California, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Louisiana are the only states reporting more cases of West Nile than Nevada.

No one in Nevada has died of the illness. "That's the good news," said Martha Framsted, spokeswoman for the state Health Division.

Nationwide, 1,058 people have become sick from West Nile this year, and 28 have died.

In its severe form, West Nile causes swelling of the brain and spinal cord, which can cause permanent brain damage and may be fatal. All 17 of the Clark County victims have suffered from the severe, or neuroinvasive, form of the virus.

Of those victims, however, only three are hospitalized. The others have been released from the hospital or only visited a doctor.

Eight of the Clark County victims are older than 50, the age group that experts say is more vulnerable to getting sick from West Nile. But nine of the victims are younger than 50.

Framsted said that while the virus is predicted to fade as the weather cools, Nevadans should remain aware of it. "Come next spring, chances are it's still going to be here," she said.

The same precautions -- guarding against mosquito bites, vaccinating horses and cleaning up standing water -- will still apply, she said.