Los Angeles County residents were being warned Tuesday to take precautions against West Nile virus amid elevated activity, with positive mosquito samples and infected dead birds surpassing levels recorded at this time last year.
The Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District said West Nile virus activity is also trending above the five-year average, although the abundance of native Culex mosquitoes within the district remains below the five- year average.
Culex mosquitoes can transmit West Nile virus and are most active from dusk to dawn.
The district has detected 384 West Nile virus-positive mosquito samples and 78 infected dead birds so far this year, compared with 104 positive mosquito samples and two positive dead birds at the same point last year.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has reported more than 100 human cases and five deaths this year.
“West Nile virus is cyclical, and the level of activity we see can look different each year,” said Steve Vetrone, the district’s assistant general manager of Vector Management Services. “This year, we have seen increased disease activity across the region, with activity beginning earlier than usual. An extremely mild winter where rainfall was interspersed with unusually warm weather earlier in the year are among the environmental factors that have contributed to these conditions.”
The district said it increased mosquito inspections and control efforts, monitoring and public outreach after detecting increased virus activity early in the season.
“After seeing increased activity early in the season, we stepped up inspection and control efforts along with mosquito monitoring, and public outreach,” Vetrone said. “The control efforts have helped keep WNV transmitting Culex mosquito populations low. With WNV activity high, our work continues, and residents can do their part by preventing mosquito bites and eliminating standing water.”
There is no human vaccine for West Nile virus. Officials urged residents to use insect repellent containing at least 15% DEET, Picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus, wear loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and pants, and remove standing water around their homes.
About one in five people infected with West Nile virus develops symptoms, which can include fever, headache, body aches, nausea and skin rash, according to the district. About one in 150 infected people will require hospitalization, and severe cases can involve high fever, muscle weakness, neck stiffness, paralysis, coma or death.
Dead birds can be reported to the California Department of Public Health at 1-877-WNV-BIRD. Residents seeking mosquito control information can contact the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District at 562-944-9656.
Get our daily Pasadena newspaper in your email box. Free.
Get all the latest Pasadena news, more than 10 fresh stories daily, 7 days a week at 7 a.m.
