Lyon County asks state for help

Discovery of the West Nile virus in four horses found dead in Lyon County has prompted officials there to request state money to help reduce the mosquito population in Smith Valley.

Lyon County Sheriff's Lt. Jeff Page, emergency management coordinator, filed a declaration of emergency with the Nevada Division of Emergency Management on Friday.

"We are getting beyond our resources and unable to take care of the problem in Smith Valley," he said.

The Mason Valley Mosquito Abatement District has reduced the mosquito population there and continues to spray after the West Nile Virus Working Group classified that area as a 4.25 risk on a scale of 1 to 5.

"This number means that Mason Valley is at epidemic condition," he said.

Because of the seriousness there, Page said, Mason Valley is unable to help neighboring Smith Valley, which has no abatement program of its own.

Lyon County has requested $20,000 to assist in the application of an organic pesticide there.

Emergency managers also are reminding residents to use precautions to prevent infection by the virus. Those precautions include:

-- Using insecticide with DEET.

-- Removing standing water from property.

-- Repairing or replacing broken screens and windows.

West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and can be fatal to birds and horses. Most infected people never become ill, but about 20 percent develop flulike symptoms. About 1 percent become seriously ill with conditions such as meningitis or encephalitis and can die. The elderly and people with weakened immune systems are most susceptible. There is no antidote or vaccine for people.

Nevada has three probable or confirmed cases of West Nile virus in humans. A person in Clark County and another in Washoe County have both tested positive for the virus. A third person is suspected to have the virus in Churchill County.

In California, more than 85 people statewide have tested positive for West Nile this summer and two people have died from the disease, according to the state Department of Health Services.

The West Nile virus group consists of members of the Nevada Division of Health, Nevada Department of Agriculture, Washoe District Health Department, Carson City Health Department, Clark County Health District, Clark County Vector Control, Churchill County Mosquito Abatement District, Mason Valley Mosquito Abatement District, Pyramid Lake Indian Tribe and Indian Environmental Health Services.

Contact F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.