United States: The Southern Nevada Health District embarked on a safety crusade subsequent to the discovery of the inaugural West Nile Virus (WNV) positive mosquitoes in Clark County.
In the expanse of the North Las Vegas Valley, the Health District’s Mosquito Disease Surveillance Program ensnared and identified the WNV-positive mosquitoes within the 89031 and 89032 ZIP codes.
A denizen traversing Craig Ranch Regional Park expresses encountering a surge in insect activity within her locale.
“Such news strikes terror. Merely hearing it compels me to shield myself,” articulated Elaine Scholer, a resident of North Las Vegas. “The vicinity where I reside is not spared from the presence of mosquitoes.”
Beyond discerning mosquitoes that frequently serve as vectors for the West Nile Virus, authorities elucidate that Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are renowned carriers of Zika, dengue, and chikungunya. The population of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes has markedly surged since their inception in Clark County in 2017, according to the district.
The Health District personnel have deployed over 875 traps to assess mosquito abundance, species distribution, and the prevalence of infected mosquitoes since the commencement of their seasonal mosquito surveillance on April 1.
Officials underscore that traps are strategically stationed at parks, wash channels, wetland expanses, residential enclaves, and other potential breeding grounds.
The Southern Nevada Public Health Laboratory has scrutinized in excess of 9,000 mosquitoes this year alone.
Another resident of North Las Vegas, Leslie Fernandez, reveals his perpetual readiness for the mosquito onslaught during the summer months.
“Mosquitoes have perennially plagued this area. Hence, I ensure that ‘Off’ repellent is readily available in my vehicle,” disclosed Fernandez. “I spritz myself with it as I abhor the vexatious welts resultant from mosquito bites.”
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West Nile Virus, a malady transmitted by mosquitoes, reached unparalleled levels of activity in Clark County in 2019, recording 43 human cases despite minimal occurrences in 2020, 2021, and 2022. The district reported two human cases of West Nile Virus in 2023.
Clark County witnesses a substantial proliferation of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Diverging from typical mosquitoes, health officials underscore that Aedes aegypti exhibit aggressive daytime biting tendencies, displaying a predilection for human hosts over avian species. They persistently assail ankles, with a lone female capable of inflicting multiple bites.
The Health District cautions that Aedes aegypti breed in diminutive receptacles that accumulate rainwater or irrigation runoff, such as children’s playthings, wheelbarrows, plant saucers, and even bottle caps. Since their initial detection in 2017 within four Clark County ZIP codes, their range has expanded to encompass 12 ZIP codes in 2022 and 43 in 2023, officials report.
“My spouse maintains these ornate vessels beneath the eaves as a decorative feature, yet they inadvertently collect rainwater, necessitating me to empty them onto foliage,” lamented Fernandez.
The Health District’s “Fight the Bite” initiative implores individuals to eradicate stagnant water, mitigate mosquito bites through appropriate precautions, and report mosquito activity to their surveillance program at (702) 759-1633.
To report stagnant pools, individuals are urged to contact their local code enforcement agency.