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Pahrump Valley Gazette, Thursdayl January i 6, i 997 • 27' ''
High winds cause severe
damage at LakeMead
National Park Service
fishing point in
closure of the facility.
to park personnel, the Lake, dock
Jalluary 5. By noon on Monday, January 6,
wood in the dock had broken in two pieces.
,or
'The dock has been closed until notice and will
have to be removed from the water More the full extent of
the damage can be assessed," said Park Superintendent
Alan O'Neill. "We that repairs may:teke!uptoa
month to eompiete based on the preli !ion,
he said.
O'Neill said that tbe
the work completion.
''We will have the dock
bility4mpaired fishing enthusiasts," he said.
dock for . Weekly sit,king by the Nevada Division
of Wildlife will continue on its announced schedule.
For further information, contact Karen Whitney of the
National Park Sexvice at (702)293-8947
last rhmday
Nevada Chipmunks show Hantavirus sign
by Ed Tomchin
Until recently, the only rodents in Southern Nevada
evidencing exposure to the lethal hantavirus were deer
mice, but a recent survey in the Mount Charleston area
disclosed six chipmunks with positive antibodies for the
hantavirus.
Daniel Maxson, senior environmen-
tal health specialist with the Clark
County Health District, stressed this
does not mean chipmunks are infec-
tious.
Further tests are being conducted to
determine the extent of the exposure
and the scope of the wild animal popu-
lation which can transmit this poten-
tially deadly virus. Until this recent
discovery, deer mice were considered
the primary hosts of the hantavirus in
the Southern Nevada area.
Clark County health officials'have been testing chip-
munks and other rodents since 1993 when hantavirus was
identified in the Southwest. Health officials, as a matter of
routine since the advent of this
virus in this area, warn hikers,
campers and hunters to avoid ar-
eas where rodent droppings and
urine are likely to be present.
Dr. Brian Hjelle, M.D., of the
Department of Pathology, Uni-
versity of New Mexico School of
Medicine, states that hantaviruses
have been implicated as cause of
two diseases: hemorrhagic fever
with renal syndrome (HFRS) and
hantavirus pulmonary syndrome
(HPS).
In HFRS, fever and muscle pain develop days or even
weeks after exposure, followed by flushing and small,
purplish spots on the skin. The disease progresses to
hemorrhage of the stomach or eyes, and possibly shock. In
the extreme stages of the disease, there is acute renal
failure. Where death occurs it is usually the result of shock
or hemorrhage.
The common features of HPS (hantavirus pulmonary
syndrome) includ fever, chills, and muscle pain, followed
by difficulty breathing and coughing. Death results from
the lung cavity filling with fluids.
Overall, the mortality rate from both lorms of hantavirus
is about 40 percent.
While the hantaviruses do not cause
illness in their rodent hosts, infected
rodents shed the virus in their saliva,
urine, and feces tor many weeks. • e
duration and maximum period ofinl c-
tivity of these substances are unknown.
Human infection can occur when in-
fected saliva or excreta are inhaled as
aerosols produced directly from the ani-
mal. Infection may also occur when
fresh or dried materials contaminated
by rodent excreta are disturbed, directly
introduced into broken skin, introduced
into the eyes, or, possibly, ingested in contaminated food
or water. Persons have also become infected after being
bitten by host rodents.
The chance of exposure to hantavirus is greatest when
individuals work, play or live in
closed spaces where there is an
active rodent infestation. It is im-
portant to be aware of possible
rodent exposure, for example,
when working in crawl spaces,
opening phone line stations or us-
ing air condition equipment after
winter storage.
Travel to and within areas where
hantavirus infection has been re-
ported is relatively safe and while
the possibility of exposure to
hantavirus for campers, hikers, and
tourists is very small, steps should be taken to reduce
contact with rodents and their droppings.
Remember that while the chances of getting hantavirus
are very low, if you do get the disease, it can be very
serious, so take all necessary precautions, especially around
buildings that have been unused for long periods of time,
rural outbuildings, woodpiles, or any other place rodents
frequent.
Lee Canyon Ski & Snow Report
by Ed Tomchin
As of Wednesday, January 15, 1997, Lee Canyon has
received 20" of new snow (dry powder). The ski runs have
a total base of 40" - 45" which is excellent for skiing.
According to Marti Weinter, Lee Canyon's other weather
person, it was snowing on Wednesday morning and was
expected to snow all day. Chains and snow tires were not
required on the mountain, but were strongly recommended
,due to current snowfall. Goggles are recommended for
skiing. Come prepared.
At the time of this report, all runs were open but night
skiiing is still closed until sufficient snow has based. All
chair lifts are open and operating from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
The resort provides a bus to the mountain which leaves
Las Vegas from the Union Plaza at 7:30 am and their ski
rental office at 3119 No. Rancho Drive at Cheyenne at 8:00
am daily. The bus is free for those purchasing lift tickets at
the office.
Daily updates on skiing and snow conditions are avail-
able at: Las Vegas (702) 645-2754 and (702) 593-9500, and
on the mountain atthe Ski and Snowboard Resort (702) 385-
2754.
1
Report
by Geoff Schneider
Nevada Division of Wildlife
LAKE MEAD - The few anglers who have braved the
recent rain storms and cold weather have had little success
to show for their efforts, according to the Nevada Division
of Wildlife.
The action is now very slow for both largemouth bass
and striped bass. About the only recent success was found
by a boater who caught two stripers in the six-pound range
while trolling north of Saddle Island.
Small stripers continue to be caught by boaters in the
back of Las Vegas Wash. Shad are still being found in
Pumphouse Cove, but the stripers do not appear to be
interested in feeding on the bait fish.
NDOW is scheduled to stock rainbow trout Friday at
Government Wash, Hemenway Harbor, Horsepower Cove,
Pumphouse Cove and Saddle Island.
LAKE MOHAVE - Division of Wildlife creel clerks
report that very few anglers and generally slow fishing for
striped bass is being found at Cottonwood Cove and
Willow Beach.
Over the weekend two anglers who were trolling for
stripers near Cottonwood Cove had no success. Shore
anglers are also struggling to get a bite.
Willow Beach is scheduled to be stocked with rainbow
trout Thursday from Willow Beach hatchery.
WAYNE E. KIRCH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
AREA - Warm weather descended on the area late last
week and cleared ice in some areas of the reservoirs.
Anglers had fair action for rainbow trout by casting to the
open water.
Nearly a foot of snow fell on the management area
early this week and roads at the facility are very muddy.
Ice on the lakes is becoming thicker, but may not be safe
for ice fishing.
EAGLE VALLEY RESERVOIR - This week's
snow storm has blanketed the area with 13 inches of snow.
Evening temperatures have been dipping to below zero.
Ice is now about six inches thick. Ice fishing is slow for
both rainbow and brown trout.
ECHO CANYON RESERVOIR - The water level
continues to rise and this is causing thin ice conditions
around the edge of the lake. No anglers have been fishing
at the Lincoln County reservoir.
SCHROEDER RESERVOIR - More than a foot of
snow covers roads leading to the lake. Anglers should
avoid the lake until conditions improve
