104°F
weather icon Windy

West Nile virus found in three area mosquitoes

The first instances of West Nile virus of the season were found in mosquitoes that had been captured within Boulder City’s ZIP code, according to the Southern Nevada Health District.

“The health district has a pretty robust surveillance program,” said Vivek Raman, an environmental health supervisor for the district.

Raman said the program places traps throughout the region, and this year 812 have been set between Laughlin and Mesquite. In those traps, three mosquitoes, all of which were from Boulder City, tested positive for West Nile virus.

He said West Nile virus is common in this time of year and has been found in mosquitoes every year except 2010.

According to the health district, the virus is commonly spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes that have acquired the virus by feeding on infected birds. Many people with the virus will have no symptoms or very mild ones. Those symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. In some cases, the virus can cause severe neurologic illness and even death.

In April, a woman in Southern Nevada was reported to have West Nile virus. She has recovered, and Raman said her illness did not come from the three mosquitoes.

“It was completely different mosquitoes,” he said.

To prevent contracting West Nile virus, Raman said people should check to see if there is any standing water on their property. If there is, they should get rid of it so mosquitoes do not breed there. Doors and windows should be screened to prevent mosquitoes from coming inside, and people should wear repellent and long-sleeve shirts and pants to minimize the area where they can be bitten.

Contact reporter Celia Shortt Goodyear at cgoodyear@bouldercityreview.com or at 702-586-9401. Follow her on Twitter @csgoodyear.

MOST READ
LISTEN TO THE TOP FIVE HERE
THE LATEST
Hittin’ the town

Photos by Ron Eland/Boulder City Review

City reallocates $750,000 for fiscal year 2025

More than a year ago, in a Boulder City Council discussion about budgeting, Mayor Joe Hardy, in two sentences, summed up the most basic truth about city budgets.

Update on city utility projects

Sometimes the good information comes from unexpected places.

Third extension for portico funding

About once a month, before the start of the city council meeting, the members of the council meet wearing their hats as the Redevelopment Agency (RDA) and dole out money to reimburse businesses and homeowners in the historic district for qualifying work done to their properties.

Public weighs in on purchase

With last week’s announcement in the Boulder City Review that three longtime residents/businessmen purchased the former Central Market building and their plans to bring in a small grocery chain, there’s been plenty of input from the public.

Trio looks to bring new grocery store to town

If one were to ask 25 Boulder City residents what the town is missing, you’d probably get a few different answers like affordable housing or a movie theater. But the overwhelming answer would likely be the same – a second grocery store.

City awards $1.6M for pool design

Back in March 2024, Councilwoman Sherri Jorgensen said, “I can’t even imagine what it would cost in 2028.”

City transfers bond capacity

Kevin Hickey, of the Nevada Rural Housing Authority, has been making pretty much the same presentation to the council annually thanking the city for transferring nearly $1 million in bond capacity to the group he represents.

Council confusion: The leash law saga continues

Three statements — notably, none of them from members of the city council — best illustrated the difficulties residents (both dog-loving and not) have had for at least four years when it comes to the issue of off-leash dogs in public parks.