West Nile descends on county early this year

by Oscar de León
Staff Writer

The mosquito-transmitted West Nile Virus, arrived in Los Angeles County earlier than usual his year with reports of infected birds in late February.

The virus usually does not arrive in Los Angeles County until July, said Brian Reisinger, education specialist from the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District.

Normally the virus circulates in the wild bird population and is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito.

Last year, 10,000 humans were infected and 264 died nationwide.

According to spokesman Llelwin Grant from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Alabama, West Nile prevention starts in residents’ backyards.

“Anything that can hold water for more than a few days is a potential mosquito nursery,” he said.

The elderly and people with suppressed immune symptoms are at greatest risk for serious and potentially life threatening illnesses as a result of the virus.

Although the virus can be deadly, Grant said people should not completely alter their lifestyles. “All it takes is to be alert,” he said.

Reisinger said that prevention tips include making sure that pools and jacuzzis are in operating condition.

“Green pools are a huge source of mosquitoes,” Reisinger said.

It is better to avoid outside activity at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active, he said, adding that when people are outside at these times, they should wear long sleeve shirts, pants and bug repellent.

Karen Suarez, Monrovia trustee for vector control, recommends keeping doors and windows closed during dawn and dusk.

People who have been bitten by mosquitoes carrying the virus usually don’t show symptoms, Reisinger said, but symptoms that can occur are headaches, rashes, severe exhaustion and fever.

“It could put people out for at least three weeks,” he said.

Although these symptoms seem to be severe, Suarez said that people should not be alarmed.

“It is a fact of life. It is like getting the flu. This is something that we will expect every year,” she said.

Reisinger said that some people who were infected in the past still need therapy, since the virus can also cause a paralysis that is not severe.

“It goes away, but it needs therapy,” he said.

This year, four crows with the virus have been collected from the cities of West Covina, El Monte, Temple City and Arcadia.

Infected birds have also been found in Orange, Riverside, Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.

Reisinger said that this means that West Nile has successfully established itself throughout Southern California.

According to Reisinger, there is no vaccine for the virus. “All we can do is treat it and prevent it,” he said.