Three local residents have West Nile virus

Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2005 | 9:04 a.m.

Three Clark County residents have been reported with cases of the West Nile virus, bringing Nevada's total this year to 16 cases in humans, health officials said.

It was the first report of human West Nile virus cases in Southern Nevada this year.

The Clark County Health District said one woman over 50 years of age had developed the severe form of West Nile virus, called West Nile encephalitis.

Two men, one over 50 one under 50, both had contracted the milder form of illness known as West Nile fever.

One of the people, based on his travel history, was not infected with West Nile virus in Southern Nevada, health officials said.

"Mosquitos that carry West Nile virus remain active throughout Clark County and in neighboring counties and states," said Dr. Donald Kwalick, chief health officer in Clark County.

West Nile virus is spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes, which become infected with the virus by feeding on infected birds.

The illness is not spread from person to person, said David Tonelli, a spokesman for the Clark County Health District.

The Health District urged Southern Nevada residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites by applying an insect repellent containing DEET according to manufacturer's instructions, wearing pants and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors and avoid spending time outside when mosquitoes are most active, at dusk and dawn.

Also property owners need to eliminate standing water, including bird baths, unmaintained swimming pools and sprinkler runoff, which supports mosquitoes breeding.

For more information on West Nile virus, including updated maps of where mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus have been found along with birds and horses, visit the Clark County Health District Web site at http://www.cchd.org.

The public may also call the West Nile virus hotline at (702) 759-1220 with questions, concerns or to report standing water and large numbers of mosquitoes.