LAS VEGAS (AP) — A species of mosquito capable of spreading the Zika virus has been found in Southern Nevada.
Health officials detected the mosquitoes Wednesday in North Las Vegas. They can spread viruses such as Zika, dengue, chikungunya and others by biting an infected person who still has the virus in their blood, and then surviving long enough to bite another person after the virus has had time to multiply in their system.
Health experts say residents should not be too alarmed, though. Infectious disease epidemiologist Brian Labus says the viruses it can carry are not common in Southern Nevada.
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Researchers on Thursday did not yet know how the mosquitoes got to North Las Vegas.