West Nile Virus Confirmed in Washoe County

Washoe County Health District reminds citizens to be aware of mosquito activity

Reno, Nev. July 24, 2019 - The Washoe County Health District Vector-Borne Disease Program (VBDP) confirms that mosquito samples from Hidden Valley and Rosewood Lake area tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). No human cases have been reported in Washoe County so far this year. 

WNV is most commonly spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Most people (8 out of 10) infected with WNV do not develop any symptoms. About 1 in 5 people with the virus will have mild symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. Most people with this type of disease recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months. 

About 1 in 150 people who are infected develop a severe illness affecting the central nervous system such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord). Symptoms of severe illness include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. About 1 out of 10 people who develop severe illness affecting the central nervous system die. 

The Health District is increasing mosquito surveillance and will conduct early-morning insecticide fogging tomorrow, July 25, 2019 in the area of Hidden Valley and Rosewood Lakes. The Washoe County Health District recommends the following to prevent mosquito bites and eliminate breeding sources:

• Wear proper clothing and repellent if going outdoors when mosquitoes are most active in the early morning and evening;
• Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellent containing one of the active ingredients below. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women:
  • DEET
  • Picaridin
  • IR3535
  • Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
  • Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
  • 2-undecanone
• Repellent can be used safely on infants and children 2 months of age and older. Applications can be put directly on the skin and on clothing.
• Make sure that your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep mosquitoes out. Repair or replace screens with tears or holes.
• Clear areas around your home of any free-standing water that may become a mosquito breeding-ground, including small puddles, pools, planters, children’s sandboxes, wagons or toys, underneath and around faucets, as well as plant saucers and pet bowls; and
• Vaccinate horses for WNV.

Residents are asked to report night-time mosquito activity to the Washoe County Health District by calling 775-328-2434. 

More information on WNV can be found on the Washoe County Health District Vector-Borne Disease Program website.

Additional prevention tips are available on the CDC Prevent Mosquito Bites webpage.

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