Pests test positive for West Nile virus

Mosquitoes in southeast Las Vegas have tested positive for West Nile virus, and health officials are, for the fourth year in a row, urging valley residents to use bug repellent while outside.

The mosquitoes were found in the 89122 ZIP code, which includes the Las Vegas Wash, Desert Wetlands Park and Sam Boyd Stadium, health officials said Monday.

"Just because we have identified the virus in one ZIP code doesn't mean it isn't elsewhere in the valley. Mosquitoes can fly,'' said Vivek Raman, vector control supervisor for the Southern Nevada Health District. "We don't need residents becoming complacent with the idea that West Nile isn't in their community. They need to take steps to prevent it.''

In addition to wearing bug repellent, Raman said valley residents should remove stagnant water, an attractive breeding ground for mosquitoes, from around their homes.

Residents also should report any stagnant water they see, such as green swimming pools, to the health district.

Since January, the health district has received more than 1,900 complaints from residents about green swimming pools across the valley.

"Last year, we had a total of 1,600 green swimming pool complaints. We eclipsed last year's totals by the end of June,'' Raman said.

West Nile virus is spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are infected with the virus after feeding off infected birds. West Nile is not spread person to person.

For more information or to report mosquito activity or green swimming pools go to www.SouthernNevadaHealthDistrict.org or call 759-1220.

Contact reporter Annette Wells at awells@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283.