IN BRIEF

Measles case prompts public health warning

Southern Nevada public health officials are urging Las Vegas Valley residents who have never had a measles vaccine to get one.

The warning comes after a man visiting from Italy on June 20 and 21 later was diagnosed with the virus. It is unknown how many people were exposed to the man, health officials said Tuesday.

Although the risk of measles spreading to individuals previously vaccinated for measles or who once were diagnosed with it is low, the Southern Nevada Health District is concerned about those who have not been vaccinated. The health district is alerting the community of the possibility of transmission so that anyone who develops symptoms will seek medical attention.

Measles is spread through physical contact and can result in serious infections resulting in pneumonia, encephalitis, seizures and death. Symptoms begin about 10 days after exposure.

Infected patients have a fever that can last two to four days and peak at as high as 105 degrees. A runny nose, cough and red eyes follow. About two weeks after exposure a rash appears.

For information about where to get a measles vaccine, call the Health District at 759-0850.

MANHUNT UNDER WAY

Victim discovered slain at home identified

The woman found dead Friday at her east Las Vegas home has been identified as Otilia A. Soares.

Soares and her husband were having work done on their house, on Stewart Avenue near Lamb Boulevard.

The husband left to get supplies from a hardware store. When he returned about 10:30 a.m., Las Vegas police said, he found the house ransacked and his wife’s body on a walkway leading to the backyard.

The woman died from a broken neck, the Clark County coroner’s office said.

Police are searching for the day laborer who was working at the house and left before the husband returned.

Anybody with information on the slaying is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 385-5555.

SMOKE FROM WILDFIRES

County officials issue air quality advisory

Smoke drifting from wildfires burning in Arizona and California has prompted Clark County air quality officials to issue an advisory through Saturday for the valley.

With the wildfire activity, officials warn that smoke from Fourth of July fireworks and cookouts can be hazardous to some people and contribute to ground-level ozone buildup.

Unhealthy levels of smoke and ozone are not occurring at this time, but the Department of Air Quality and Environmental Management issued the advisory to raise awareness about the effects.

Airborne smoke is a form of air pollution and can aggravate respiratory diseases such as bronchitis and asthma.

Officials suggest staying indoors or limiting outdoor activity.

NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

Cliff diver at lake was Prescott, Ariz., man

The man who died at Lake Mead while cliff diving on Sunday has been identified as 23-year-old Sean A. White of Prescott, Ariz.

White was on the Arizona side of Lake Mead near Sidewinder Cove when he jumped off a 90-foot cliff, authorities said.

Friends of the man called for help about 3:45 p.m. after he failed to surface.

Wardens, rangers for the National Park Service and the Metropolitan Police Department started a search and recovered the body about 8:15 p.m., said Lake Mead National Recreation Area spokeswoman Roxanne Dey.

The diver’s death is the 15th fatality at the recreation area this year.