The Los Angeles County West Vector and Vector-Borne Disease Control District advises that two new dead birds collected in Culver City have tested positive for West Nile Virus, which is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Mosquitoes become infected when they first feed on birds that carry the virus and then bite a human or animal.
Birds routinely travel many miles from their nighttime nesting locations to feed and scavenger at other areas during the day before they return to their root location in the evening again.
Although positive dead birds collected in a specific area are significant with respect to a wider region, county counts, and general geographical locations, it does not definitively identify a specific city, zip code, or location as the site where the actual mosquito bite and infection occurred because of their wide daily travel patterns.
A bird infected in one place, may die 1 to 10 miles away in another place during the day. Positive results for “sentinel flock chickens,“ “trapped adult mosquitoes” or “squirrels” are more specific with respect to the actual infection site.
There have been 128 separate zip codes in the County this year that have recorded positive West Nile results from dead birds, dead squirrels, trapped adult mosquitoes, or sentinel chicken flocks.
Residents can protect themselves from West Nile Virus by doing the following:
Deet — Apply insect repellent according to the label. Repellents containing DEET, picaradin, IR3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus are the longest lasting and most effective. Repellents keep the mosquitoes from biting you.
Dawn and Dusk — Mosquitoes carrying the virus primarily bite in the early morning and evening. It is important to wear repellent at these times.
Mosquito-proof Your Home —Make sure your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes. Repair or replace screens with tears or holes.
Drain — Mosquitoes lay their eggs on standing water. Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property, including flower pots, old car tires, rain gutters and pet bowls. Ensure that swimming pools, spas, and ponds are properly maintained. If you have an ornamental pond, use mosquito fish. For questions, call the District at 310.915.7370.
The public is encouraged to report dead birds to help with West Nile virus surveillance and control efforts. 877.968.2473.
Symptoms usually occur 2 to 15 days after infection.
Symptoms of West Nile Fever can include:
• Headaches (often severe migraines)
• High fever
• Tiredness and body aches
• Occasionally, a skin rash and swollen lymph glands
These symptoms may last from several days to several weeks.
Symptoms of West Nile Neuroinvasive disease can include:
• Severe Headache
• High Fever
• Stiff neck
• Stupor
• Disorientation
• Tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness
• Paralysis
• Coma: This form of the disease can lead to long lasting and permanent damage to the brain.
For mosquito problems and to pick up mosquito fish, call 310.915.7370.
Mr. Saviskas, Executive Director of the Los Angeles County West Vector and Vector-Borne Disease Control District, may be contacted at 310.915.7370, ext. 223, or rsaviskas@lawestvector.org.
