By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

In a follow-up on the West Nile virus (WNV) situation in Clark County, Nevada, officials with the Southern Nevada Health District have reported the 12th human WNV case of the year.

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The latest patient is a male over the age of 50 with the neuroinvasive form of the illness. Ten of the 12 cases reported to the Health District have had the more serious, neuroinvasive form of the illness.

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West Nile virus (WNV) is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat WNV in people. Fortunately, most people infected with WNV do not feel sick. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. About 1 out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.

The Health District continues to urge people to take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites. Precautions include: using Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents, wear pants and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors and eliminating areas of standing water which support mosquito breeding.

Nationally through Aug. 6, 128 total human WNV cases have been reported, including four deaths.