“We are seeing more cases of West Nile this year simply because we have seen an increase in the amount of mosquitoes,” said Emma Smales, Public Information Officer for the CCCHD.
Smales said the increased number of mosquitoes is due to heavy rainfall Clark County experienced in May and June.
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West Nile is most commonly spread by infected mosquitoes and can lead to severe fever, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of lining of the brain and spinal cord).
According to a statement from the CCCHD, approximately 80% of the people who are infected with the virus will not show any symptoms, but there is no way to know in advance if someone infected will develop an illness.
Symptoms typically show up between three and 14 days after being bit by an infected mosquito. Symptoms can range from severe to mild and include; high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors.
The CCCHD has sent an alert to the local medical community to help facilitate quicker human diagnosis of West Nile Virus. Although, there is no one specific treatment for the infection. Treatment for West Nile is based upon symptoms.
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