LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The Southern Nevada Health District is urging residents to stay alert as mosquito season begins, with a newer and more aggressive species spreading quickly across the valley.
The species known as Aedes aegypti first appeared in the valley around 2017. According to the Southern Nevada Health District, it has since spread to more than 60 local zip codes.
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“And this mosquito called Aedes aegypti is a very aggressive urban mosquito,” said Vivek Raman the Environmental Health Supervisor at the Southern Nevada Health District. “So people are really starting to notice these mosquitoes bite their ankles all throughout the day.”
Disease risks
Bites from any mosquito can carry the risk of disease transmission.
“Well, mosquitoes are actually the deadliest creature on the planet when you look at the type of diseases that they spread and how many people they kill globally,” Raman said. “You’re talking about malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, West Nile virus.”
Although most local cases are mild, the health district says prevention remains critical.
“So that’s why we’re always urging people that have horses to please vaccinate their animals against West Nile,” Raman said.
Prevention efforts
Officials are urging residents to dump any stagnant water outside, since it can quickly become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
“We have longer days. We have more irrigation water that can be starting to stagnate,” Raman said.
Traps are also being offered free to residents who are interested.
“And so our staff, like I said, have already set up 600 of these traps this year,” he said. “Many of them at people who have complained about activity at their homes.”
Officials say there were no West Nile virus detections last year, but there were cases in 2024. They say conditions can change from year to year. So far this season, the virus has not been detected, but officials stress it is still early and testing will continue.
The health district says mosquito monitoring begins as early as March and continues through October, as crews track mosquito populations and test for diseases like West Nile virus.
The health district says protecting the public is a top priority, especially with millions of tourists visiting from around the world. Officials urge residents to wear mosquito repellent or wear long sleeves and pants to protect against them.
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