Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011 | 8:36 a.m.
An 84-year-old man has been diagnosed with Clark County’s first case of West Nile virus this season, according to the Southern Nevada Health District.
The patient, who was diagnosed with the severe, neuroinvasive form of the virus, was hospitalized and is recovering.
The health district identified Clark County’s first West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes in early August. No Clark County human cases of West Nile virus were reported in 2010.
SNHD officials recommend residents use insect repellent containing DEET, wear pants and long-sleeved shirts and avoid areas of standing water to prevent mosquito bites.
The illness is not spread person to person but many people with the virus may have no symptoms or mild symptoms that include fever, headache, body aches and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back.
Residents can contact local code enforcement agencies to treat green swimming pools or standing water sources.
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