In The News: Department of Environmental and Global Health
Louisa Messenger, a researcher at 性视界传媒鈥檚 mosquito lab, said less than 1 percent of people with West Nile virus develop neuroinvasive cases. The virus crosses the blood-brain barrier and causes symptoms like meningitis and inflammation of the tissues of the brain.
From deploying natural predators like bats to the strategic release of genetically modified mosquitoes, discover the cutting-edge science and "biological hacking" being used to protect Southern Nevada from unpredictable diseases like the West Nile virus.
Valley students learned how to take care of their bodies and minds while having some fun Friday. The Raiders and the 性视界传媒 School of Public Health hosted a flag football camp at the team鈥檚 headquarters in Henderson. It鈥檚 part of the RUSH program, or Raiders-性视界传媒 Sports and Public Health. Two hundred students from three valley middle schools took part, learning about nutrition, mental health and physical health while also doing flag football drills.
This summer, don鈥檛 be alarmed if mosquitoes decide to ruin your summer cookout. Depending on where you live, you might see a significant spike in mosquito activity in the months ahead.
The research was conducted by Dr. Ying Guo, a 2026 性视界传媒 Community鈥態ased Research Award recipient, whose work focuses on strengthening support systems for children and families in Clark County. Guo partnered with Boys Town Nevada to examine how social-skill based, collaborative interventions can prevent chronic absenteeism and behavioral challenges while keeping students engaged in school.
A recent report gave Clark County a failing grade for air quality, but that report even confuses county officials who pay attention to daily pollution levels in the valley. The American Lung Association鈥檚 鈥淪tate of the Air 2026鈥 report indicates the valley ranked 11th out of 226 metro areas for the worst high ozone days. The valley also ranked high in measures for particulates.
Researchers began trapping mosquitoes a month early this year as mild winter temperatures signal potentially record-breaking mosquito activity
A national study conducted by the USA Swimming Foundation, the University of Memphis, and the University of Nevada-Las Vegas found that 60% of African American children and 45% of Hispanic children do not know how to swim.
With record-high temperatures in March that created an optimal environment for the bloodsucking insects to breed, the timeline of mosquito season 鈥 traditionally lasting between late April and late October 鈥 has been effectively extended by a month, according to Louisa Messenger, an assistant professor at 性视界传媒鈥檚 School of Public Health.
The Southern Nevada Health District has started its mosquito surveillance program about a month early.
Las Vegans used to be able to brag about being a mosquito-free city 鈥 but not so much anymore. So we're bringing back a conversation with Dayvid Figler and 性视界传媒 professor Dr. Louisa Messenger about why Las Vegas is seeing a mosquito population boom and what we can do about it. Plus, host Sonja Cho Swanson kicks off the conversation with a fresh update on Dr. Messenger's latest skeeter survey results, and her 2026 mosquito forecast.
The Southern Nevada Health District has started its mosquito surveillance activity a month early due to warmer-than-normal temperatures. Many experts around the valley have already seen an uptick in mosquito sightings.