West Nile Virus found in more Carson City areas

West Nile Virus in Carson City mosquito spots are in more areas that previously reported by the city‘s Health and Human Services (HHS) Department and Nevada Department of Agriculture.

Earlier this weak, HHS officials said the state agriculture department had tested areas and found mosquitoes containing the virus in one of the tested areas. On Friday, the local HHS said the department had confirmed the virus in additional areas.

The news release said the department had tested areas primarily along the I-580 freeway this month. It also said HHS environmental specialists plan to treat the areas to keep the virus from spreading. Mosquito surveillance and abatement activities have been under way this summer and are ongoing, it added.

The virus may infect people and some 80 percent will have few symptoms, but about 20 percent will develop flu-like symptoms. In less than one percent persons affected, people can develop serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis. Symptoms include fever with headache, body ache, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash.