Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2011 | 11:18 a.m.
Mosquitoes in the northeastern Clark County have tested positive for the West Nile virus, the Southern Nevada Health District announced today.
The mosquito pools that tested positive are in the Logandale area, officials said. Given the virus’ presence, health officials said it's likely other infected mosquitoes are living throughout the valley.
Officials urge residents and visitors to use insect repellent and eliminate sources of standing water, in which mosquitoes breed.
People acquire West Nile virus through the bite of an infected mosquito, but it cannot be spread from person to person, officials said. Most people experience no symptoms or mild ones, such as fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, swollen lymph glands or skin rash.
No human cases of West Nile virus were reported in Clark County last year. In severe cases, the illness can cause death.
Environmental health specialists routinely check known breeding sources for mosquitoes and trap them for identification, which includes testing for Western equine encephalitis and St. Louis encephalitis, officials said.
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