2 new West Nile virus cases reported in Southern Nevada
The Southern Nevada Health District on Tuesday reported two new cases of West Nile virus in Clark County.
A woman older than 50 and a man under 50 have the more serious neuroinvasive form of the illness, according to a statement from the health district.
The latest cases bring the number in Clark County this year to eight, including six neuroinvasive cases.
The district has identified 30 more mosquitoes that tested positive for West Nile virus in 15 ZIP codes in the Las Vegas Valley. Of those ZIP codes, eight were new reports.
Few people who contract West Nile show symptoms, but 20 percent will face headaches, joint pain, rashes, vomiting, and diarrhea. Those with mild symptoms usually recover completely within a few weeks or months.
One in 150 people will develop more severe illness, which would show symptoms of fever, headache, stiff neck, disorientation, muscle weakness and vision loss.
People over the age of 60 with pre-existing medical conditions such as cancer, kidney disease or diabetes are more likely to become infected.
Residents are encouraged to avoid standing water, wear pants and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors and use insect repellent.
The health district also recommends limiting areas of standing water near houses by cleaning out green swimming pools and accumulated sprinkler water, because these are home to mosquito breeding.
Any insect repellent with active ingredients of DEET, Picaridin (known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the U.S.), IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) , or 2-undecanone are encouraged.
Contact Sabrina Schnur at sschnur@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0278. Follow @sabrina_schnur on Twitter.