The Nevada Department of Agriculture’s (NDA) Animal Disease and Food Safety Laboratory has detected numerous cases of West Nile Virus in Nevada.
The laboratory has tested more than 3,300 mosquito pools from all counties since May.
Positive mosquito pools have been identified from Carson City (3), Elko County (4), Humboldt County (1), Lincoln County (3), Mineral County (1), Nye County (1) Pershing County (1), Washoe County (11) and Clark County (68).
The statewide mosquito surveillance program is conducted by vector control agencies in Washoe, Clark, Lyon, Churchill, County and Douglas counties, as well as Mason Valley.
All samples are submitted to NDA’s Animal Disease and Food Safety Laboratory for testing of West Nile Virus, Saint Louis Encephalitis Virus and Western Equine Encephalitis Virus, all of which can cause severe disease and death in humans.
Mosquito season is expected to end with the first frost in October. While warmer temperatures persist, all Nevada residents should take precautions such as eliminating any standing water around houses and barns, use insect repellents and keep horses vaccinated against West Nile Virus and Western Equine Encephalitis.
Watch this video for more information: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH5R0vY_8t8.
“All horse owners should update their animal’s West Nile Virus vaccination,” said Dr. Anette Rink, supervisor of the Animal Disease and Food Safety Laboratory. Four effective vaccines exist for horses, but vaccine development for humans is still under way with no available product in sight.
“Nevada has had cases of West Nile Virus since 2003,” Dr. Rink said. “This should serve as a reminder, especially to people 50 years and older, to use repellent containing DEET and to wear long sleeves, pants and socks when outside, especially during dawn and dusk.”
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EPA website on mosquito control: http://www2.epa.gov/mosquitocontrol
VIDEO: West Nile Virus in Nevada: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH5R0vY_8t8
