State Breifly Aug. 26

Washoe reports first human case of West Nile

RENO (AP) - Washoe County is reporting its first human case of West Nile virus.

The Washoe County Health District on Thursday said lab tests have confirmed an adult was infected with a mild form of the disease. The patient is recovering.

The person had been travelling in Nevada, California, and Idaho during the exposure period and it's unclear exactly where the infection was contracted.

West Nile is spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes, which acquire the virus by feeding on infected birds. The illness is not spread person to person through casual contact.

It is the second case statewide. The first was confirmed last week in Clark County.

Health officials urge people to limit exposure to mosquitoes by using insect repellent and wearing pants and long sleeves when mosquitoes are active.

Mount Charleston raid yields pot worth $23.4M

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Federal forest agents and Las Vegas-area police say they removed more than $23.4 million worth of marijuana plants from a Nevada mountainside in one of the first reported cases of outdoor pot farms in the Silver State.

Authorities said Thursday the raid removed nearly 4,700 marijuana plants from Mount Charleston, about 45 miles northwest of downtown Las Vegas.

No suspects were found and no arrests were made during the Wednesday operation.

Illegal marijuana farms have been found on public land in California and other states. But authorities say they were unheard of in Nevada's desert landscape until recently.

Officials say the grove on Mount Charleston was spotted several months ago when officials were airlifting an injured hiker.