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.
Extreme heat kills more people in the United States each year than hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes. With climate change intensifying, heat-related illnesses are becoming a growing health concern in Nevada, especially in the summer. This page provides information on the types of heat-related illnesses, highlights those most at risk, and offers prevention tips to help Nevadans stay safe in hot weather.
One Health is the idea that the health of people is connected to the health of animals and our shared environment. Diseases can spread between animals and humans, and it is important we understand how to prevent the spread of disease to keep everyone, including animals healthy. Click below to visit our One Health website and learn more about zoonotic diseases.
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.
Nevada is a great state for people who enjoy water recreation activities as it has many lakes, streams, reservoirs, hot springs, spas, swimming pools and water parks. However, it’s important to be aware of potential illnesses that can be spread through water recreation activities such as swimming, boating, diving, or rafting. Click below to learn how to stay safe in the water and to prevent illnesses.
Important tips on how to safely harvest an animal for in-state and out-of-state hunters.
Canine schistosomiasis is an infectious disease caused by the parasitic flatworm Heterobilharzia americana that infects dogs. For more information about this disease including how it spreads, symptoms in dogs, preventative measures and more, click “learn more” below.
To access information about a specific disease, please visit our A-Z disease list here.
Data
Nevada’s Authority for Epidemiology
Access up-to-date data on all active infectious diseases reported in Nevada
Continued Bicillin® L-A Shortage, Lentocilin, and Syphilis Treatment
SUMMARY Benzathine Penicillin G (BPG) is the only recommended treatment for syphilis during pregnancy. Bicillin® L-A, is the FDA-approved formulation of BPG in the U.S. The Nevada Division of Public…
Infant Botulism Outbreak- Nara Organics Formula
Alert: Nara Organics infant formula recall linked to infant botulism outbreak, for more information click here. The CDC is working with multiple partners including state public health departments, clinicians, laboratories,…
Ebola Situational Update
General Overview of Current Outbreak An outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) is occurring in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda. BVD is a type of Ebola disease (a viral hemorrhagic…
Health considerations during upcoming mass gatherings
Summary Mass gatherings and increase in travel both domestically and internationally, especially during the warmer summer months, create opportunities for illness to occur and disease to spread. This Technical Bulletin…
Hantavirus in Nevada
As news and information is developing regarding the Hantavirus outbreak related to the M/V Hondius cruise ship, it is important to provide information about the differences between the virus identified…
Proposed Changes to Nevada Administrative Code Chapters 441A (LCB File No. R174-24)
POSTPONED Please note that the public hearing for the proposed amendments to Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) Chapter 441, LCB File No. R174-24 relating to public health, scheduled for June 5,…