Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021 | 11:50 a.m.
Mosquitoes in the Las Vegas area have tested positive for West Nile virus, the first time this mosquito season.
The Southern Nevada Health District said Thursday that mosquitoes trapped in a Henderson-area neighborhood tested positive for the virus, which can cause severe illness for those over 60 or with underlying health conditions.
The health district urged people to protect themselves from mosquito bites when outdoors and eliminate any standing water around homes where mosquitoes can breed.
Officials said mosquito activity in southern Nevada has been mild this year and last year only one case was reported in a person in the area.
The West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and is most common in the continental United States.
According to health experts, most people exposed to the virus don’t get sick but about 20% have minor symptoms such as headaches, fevers, aches, nausea and fatigue. About one in 150 people infected with the virus develop a more severe form of the illness.
People over the age of 60 or those with certain conditions like diabetes, hypertension and cancer are more likely to become severely ill from the virus.
