The Southern Nevada Health District has recently detected the presence of West Nile Virus (WNV) positive mosquitoes in Clark County, prompting the launch of a safety campaign to raise awareness and prevent the spread of the virus. The Health District’s Mosquito Disease Surveillance Program identified the WNV-positive mosquitoes in the 89031 and 89032 ZIP codes located in the North Las Vegas valley.
Residents in the affected areas, such as North Las Vegas resident Elaine Scholer, have expressed concern over the increase in mosquito activity. Scholer shared her apprehension, stating, ‘That’s terrifying. You told me and I wanted to put my sleeves down. The neighborhood I live in also has mosquitoes.’
Aside from the West Nile Virus, officials have highlighted the presence of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which are known carriers of Zika, dengue, and chikungunya. The population of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes has notably surged in Clark County, posing additional health risks to the community.
The detection of WNV-positive mosquitoes underscores the importance of proactive measures to mitigate the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. The Health District’s safety campaign aims to educate the public on prevention strategies and raise awareness about the risks associated with mosquito bites.
