Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Supported by

West Nile Virus Found In Las Vegas Mosquitoes

mosquito
Wikipedia/James Gathany

Mosquitoes can be more than annoyances -- they can be disease transmitters.

The Southern Nevada Health District has reported the first positive test for West Nile virus this year.

Positive tests came from the southeast and northwest parts of the Las Vegas Valley. 

Dr. Joseph Iser, chief health officer for the Southern Nevada Health District, says very few cases of West Nile turn up each year. But the virus, spread by infected mosquitoes, can be dangerous for older and younger people, and those with weakened immune systems.

Despite extreme summer temperatures in the desert, Iser said mosquitoes will breed in standing pools of water, or in swimming pools that aren’t maintained.

Joseph Iser, Southern Nevada Health District

Stay Connected
Joe Schoenmann joined Nevada Public Radio in 2014. He works with a talented team of producers at State of Nevada who explore the casino industry, sports, politics, public health and everything in between.