West Nile found in Mason Valley

The first mosquito pool to test positive for West Nile virus so far this year is in Mason Valley, the Nevada Department of Agriculture's Animal Disease and Food Safety Laboratory said Friday.

Until Friday, the 847 samples from statewide surveillance submitted to the laboratory at the Nevada Department of Agriculture's Sparks Office since February of this year, all samples, including birds and horse samples have been negative.

Today's detection came later than previous years in Nevada. Positive samples in the past have shown up towards the end of June, middle of July. Whereas Idaho and Oregon have not detected WNV activity yet this year, Utah reported their first positive mosquito pool last week. California and Arizona however have reported arbo-viral activity, including human cases since the beginning of May and June, respectively.

"Nevada has had West Nile Virus since 2003," said Ed Foster, spokesperson for Nevada Department of Agriculture. "This should serve as a reminder, especially to people 50 years and older, to use repellent containing DEET and wear long sleeves, pants and socks when outside, especially during dawn and dusk. Also, remove any standing water from around your house and check to make sure your window screens fit properly."