Unfortunately, breaking news has it that the West Nile Virus just officially made its appearance in Los Angeles county for the year of 2010. Two dead birds have tested positive for the disease, one bird found in the Stevenson Ranch area of Santa Clarita and the other in Silver Lake.
According to Susanne Kluh, Director of Scientific-Technical Services for the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District (GLACVCD) finding these birds does not bode well for the eradication of WNV. "These two West Nile Virus-positive dead birds are evidence that West Nile virus continues to persist in Los Angeles," she states. And after this rainy season, care must be taken to do all we can to control it.
In many people the disease has no symptoms at all and can pass unnoticed. But for those who do become symptomatic, the West Nile Virus can become serious, even life-threatening. It can manifest as fever, headaches, and can cause a rash and vomiting. Birds, like people, can carry the virus with a range of reactions from no symptoms to fatality.
The disease is transmitted by mosquito from bird to human or horse, so control of the mosquito vector is the key to controlling it. After rains, many outdoor items become unintended receptacles for water. Even the smallest pools and puddles of water are ideal for mosquito eggs to hatch into the swimming larvae that will then produce the blood-feeding adult. You can do your part in controlling the West Nile Virus.
The Greater Los Angeles Control Vector Control District will be treating larger bodies of slow moving or standing water, but it is up to each person to make sure receptacles with collected rain water are emptied before mosquitoes can breed in them. Also check fountains and bird baths. Make sure you stock ponds with fish to eat mosquito eggs or float 'mosquito dunks' (available at any pond supply store or department). If you see curious wiggly bodies rising up and down in any pool of water, you are likely looking at mosquito larvae. Just toss the water before they reach adulthood and you will be helping to eradicate West Nile Virus in Los Angeles.
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