The presence of West Nile Virus has been confirmed at three test sites in Carson City, the Nevada Department of Agriculture has confirmed.
Officials tested wetlands, ditches and other small bodies of water primarily along the I-580 freeway. On Monday it was confirmed the virus is present at three of the sites tested.
West Nile Virus is transmitted when mosquitoes feed on infected birds and pass it on to other birds, animals and people. It is not spread by person-to-person contact. Many people who are infected with West Nile Virus have no symptoms, but about 1 in 5 will develop flu-like illness.
Symptoms include a fever with headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Most people with this type of West Nile virus disease recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months.
Carson City Health and Human Service environmental health specialists will treat the areas this week to keep the virus from spreading. Mosquito surveillance and abatement activities have already been conducted a number of times this summer, and are ongoing in the area, according to a news release.
Residents should take the following measures to prevent an increase in the mosquito population in and around their homes:
— Clear the yard area of any free-standing water that may become a mosquito breeding-ground
— Wear long sleeves and long pants in mosquito prone areas
— Use mosquito repellant containing DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or IR3535 and follow label precautions
— Repair any window screens that provide entry for mosquitoes
— Vaccinate horses for Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE)
— Vaccinate horses for West Nile Virus (WNV). Four effective vaccines exist for horses, but vaccine development for humans is still underway with currently no available product in sight.
— Report night-time mosquito activity to the Health Department at (775) 887-2190.
Less than 1 percent of people who are infected will develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis (inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues). The symptoms of neurologic illness can include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, seizures, or paralysis. If you are experiencing this type of illness, it is important to seek medical treatment. The CDC reports five cases of West Nile Virus have occurred in Nevada this year, all in Southern Nevada.
For other information, visit the Carson City Health and Human Services Website at www.gethealthycarsoncity.org or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov. Check back for more information.