Northern Nevada Public Health has found West Nile Virus in mosquito samples in Washoe County, and is urging residents to take caution.
NNPH is asking people to specifically be wary when spending time in recreation areas with known mosquito habitats.
The organization's mosquito surveillance has found West Nile in mosquito samples in the 89436 and 89521 zip codes. It is common for mosquitoes to carry West Nile Virus, and NNPH regularly sends samples to the Nevada State Laboratory.
No human cases of the virus have been reported in Washoe County.
If you plan on spending time near water, NNPH suggests the following protective measures:
- Wearing loose-fitting clothing (pants and long-sleeved shirts)
- Using insect repellant
- Avoiding being out during morning and evening hours, as those are the hours when mosquitos are most active
NNVH has organized a helicopter mosquito treatment for Wednesday, August 28, that will treat wetlands and other known mosquito breeding grounds in the Reno/Sparks area.
More information on mosquito treatment, source reduction and preventative measures can be found on the Northern Nevada Public Health's Vector-Born Disease Prevention website.
