The Southern Nevada Health District is reporting its first human case of West Nile virus in Southern Nevada in 2019.
The individual, a female over the age of 50, had the more serious neuroinvasive form of the illness and has recovered. There were no reported human cases of West Nile virus in Clark County last year.
“West Nile virus is a preventable illness, and it is important to remind everyone to take steps to prevent mosquito bites, especially as we start to spend more time outside,” said Dr. Joe Iser, Chief Health Officer for the Southern Nevada Health District. “There are simple things you can do to prevent bites and to prevent mosquito breeding around your home to protect yourself, your family, and your community.”
West Nile virus is spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes that have acquired the virus by feeding on infected birds. The illness is not spread person to person. Many people with the virus will have no symptoms or very mild clinical symptoms of illness. Mild symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach, and back. In some cases, the virus can cause severe neurologic illness and even death.
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