LAS VEGAS -- Mosquitoes found in southern Nevada have tested positive for West Nile virus, according to the Southern Nevada Health District.
The health district says mosquitoes collected in five zip codes around the Las Vegas valley have tested positive. The zip codes are 89103, 89107, 89129, 89138, and 89149
At this point, no human cases of the virus have been reported in Clark County. Last year, nine people contracted the virus and two people died.
The health district says because the infected mosquitoes have been found in several areas around the valley, it is likely that the virus is present through southern Nevada. The district advises people to take precautions against mosquitoes, including using insect repellants and eliminating standing water, which mosquitoes use for breeding.
"Rainy weather can be a pro and a con. It is a pro in that the wash channels that we have get a good flushing. They get irrigated out as that water goes to Lake Mead, so any standing water gets washed out. However, you also have swimming pools that may have been empty for a while that are now filled up with rain water that can breed mosquitoes." Vivek Raman with the health district said.
