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The
Southern Nevada Health District’s annual West Nile
surveillance program is ready for 2007. Property
owners are urged to begin to eliminate mosquito breeding
sources during the spring to decrease the mosquito
population. In 2006, Nevada had a total of 123
human cases of West Nile virus, including one death.
Three Clark County residents contracted the illness this
past summer, all of whom contracted it while traveling
outside of the area. For more information or to
report mosquitoes, “green” swimming pools or
stagnant water sources, visit the health district
website at www.SouthernNevadaHealthDistrict.org
or call the mosquito control hotline, (702) 759-1220.
“The
best way to control the mosquito population is to be
vigilant and conscientious about breeding sources.
This is the most important measure we can take to limit
the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses such as West Nile
virus,” said Dr. Lawrence Sands, assistant health
officer. Mosquitoes need only about one cup of
water to breed.
The
health district’s environmental health specialists
routinely survey and treat known breeding sources for
mosquitoes and trap them for identification. In
addition, they are tested for West Nile virus, Western
equine encephalitis and St. Louis encephalitis.
Stagnant
water sources are the optimal breeding source for
mosquitoes. There are 17 mosquito species in Southern
Nevada, however, only a few are known to “feed” on
humans and horses and carry disease. The health district
recommends the following strategies to eliminate
standing water:
Swimming
pools:
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Keep
pool covers tightly sealed
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Remove
rain water from pool covers
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Stock
“out-of-order” pools with mosquito fish
-
Change
water weekly in wading pools
-
Store
wading pools indoors when not in use
-
Store
wading pools upright
Ornamental
pools
-
Stock
with fish
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Avoid
spraying with garden insect sprays
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Remove
leaves and thin out plants
-
Keep
water levels up and keep water clean
-
Screen
the inlet of the recirculation pump
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If not
in use, break holes in the bottom and refill with
sand
Standing
water sources
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Repair
leaky plumbing under and around the house
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Prevent
seepage from garden irrigation
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Divert
storm water away from foundations
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Drain
the air conditioner outlet
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Clean
rain gutters
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Remove
and dispose of all unused containers that collect
water
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Change
water weekly in rooting plant containers
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Usable
containers should be stacked upside down
West
Nile virus made its first appearance in the United
States in the late 1990s in New York and has since
spread across the country. The disease first
appeared in Nevada in 2003. In 2006, there were
3887 confirmed human cases of West Nile in the United
States; 120 deaths were reported.
West
Nile virus is spread through the bite of infected
mosquitoes, which acquire the virus by feeding on
infected birds. The illness is not spread person
to person.
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