Additional West Nile Virus Positive Mosquitoes Found in Los Angeles County

LOS ANGELES (August 2, 2019) – The Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District (GLACVCD) confirmed a sample of mosquitoes collected from the City of Bellflower (90706) tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). Two weeks ago, GLACVCD reported the first positive West Nile virus mosquito sample within the District’s service area collected from the City of Long Beach.

While West Nile virus activity in Los Angeles County is off to a slow start this year, there are many hot summer months ahead which will lead to increased mosquito activity and WNV amplification and transmission. “This year, 445 positive mosquito samples have been reported in Southern California,” said Anais Medina Diaz, public information officer.

The District works year-round to actively search for and manage water-holding areas such as gutters, ditches, storm drain channels, basins, and non-functional pools and ponds, but there are many more mosquito sources on private property that require the public’s attention.

Residents, business owners, and property managers must ensure no standing water is permitted on their property. Yard and parking lot drains, air conditioner drip pans/buckets, rain barrels, non-functional swimming pools, and other containers such as rain barrels, plant saucers, and old tires must be removed or sealed to prohibit mosquito access.

To prevent bites, and the risk of disease transmission, the District recommends EPA-registered repellents that have been shown to be both safe and effective when used according to label directions: DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

About West Nile Virus
According to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, West Nile virus is a leading cause of severe infections of the nervous system among adults older than age 50 in Los Angeles County.

WNV is transmitted to people and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. There is no cure for WNV. One in five persons infected with the virus will exhibit symptoms. Symptoms can include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, or a skin rash. These symptoms can last for several days to months. One in 150 people infected with the virus will require hospitalization. Severe symptoms include high fever, muscle weakness, neck stiffness, coma, paralysis, and possibly death.

About GLACVCD
The Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District is a public health service agency formed under the authority of the California State Health & Safety Code. Our mission is to reduce populations of public health vectors below nuisance levels and prevent human infection associated with mosquito-transmitted diseases.

Media Contact: Anais Medina Diaz | amedinadiaz@glacvcd.org | 562.944.9656