Environmental Health
Program Overview
Environmental health (EH) deals with all the different ways the world around us can impact our physical and mental well-being. The Environmental Health Unit is focused on the intersect between zoonotic and environmental factors that affect human health. Environmental health includes air, land, water, food, animals, and people. Each of these areas is directly related to the other. The health of one affects the health of all and can impact how we eat, live, and grow.
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) form when naturally occurring blue-green algae multiply quickly and cause discoloration, scum, and mats on the water. Harmful algae can produce toxins that hurt people, animals, and the environment. This section provides information on HABs such as possible symptoms from exposure, tips on what HABs look like, how to report an exposure, and more.
West Nile virus (WNV) is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the United States. It is spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. This section provides information on ways to protect yourself against WNV, tips on how to reduce mosquito populations around your home, treatment and testing of WNV and more.
Mpox is a disease caused by a virus not commonly seen in the United States. However, there is an ongoing, global outbreak and mpox cases have been found in the United States, including in Nevada. This section provides mpox information in congregate living including cleaning and sanitizing procedures.
Bed bugs are parasites that feed on humans, using their blood to grow and reproduce. This section provides quick facts of bed bugs, bed bug images, potential signs you have bed bugs, how to get rid of bed bugs and more.
Naegleria fowleri is an ameba that is found in warm fresh water such as lakes, rivers and hot springs. This section provides information on Naegleria fowleri such as where it is found, what the infection symptoms are, what swimming behaviors are associated with this infection and more.
Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. This section provides information on what norovirus is, the symptoms, how it spreads, and prevention measures.
Data
Nevada’s Authority for Epidemiology
Access up-to-date data on all active infectious diseases reported in Nevada
FDA Approves Use of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Immunization for Pregnant Individuals to Prevent RSV in Infants
Background On August 21, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved ABRYSVO (Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine), the first vaccine approved for use in pregnant individuals to prevent lower respiratory…
Hantavirus in Nevada
Summary To date in 2023 there have been four (4) cases of hantavirus reported in Nevada. One case was hantavirus infection, Non-Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome in Washoe County; and three (3)…
Updated Operational Guidance for Implementation of CDC’s Hepatitis C Infection Testing Recommendations
Background The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated the operational guidance for implementing the recommendations related to testing for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.1 Accurate and complete testing…
Use Limitations for Portable and Mobile X-ray Machines
This technical bulletin pertains to the medical use of portable and mobile radiation-producing machines in Nevada. Radiation-producing machines are regulated under Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) Chapter 459 and Nevada Administrative…
FDA Approves Use of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines (RSV) for Adults 60 and Older
Background In May 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two different vaccines (from GSK and Pfizer) for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract…
New Infectious Disease Inter-Facility Transfer Form, Candida auris Case Report Form, and Educational Tool for Candida auris
Background According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Candida auris (C. auris) is an emerging fungus that presents a serious global health threat. CDC along with the…