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View Winners → San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District Has Identified West Nile Virus – Positive Mosquitoes in the City of San Dimas
Arcadia Weekly Jul 29, 2015
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A sample of mosquitoes collected in traps placed by the District in Briggs Point Park (north east corner of Covina Boulevard and Badillo Street) in the city of San Dimas on July 15 was tested and found positive for West Nile virus (WNV). This is the first sample of WNV-positive mosquitoes confirmed within the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District’s boundaries. The District has already intensified its surveillance and control efforts to prepare for the seasonal emergence of this virus.
Since its introduction in 2003 through 2014, there have been 4,805 reported human infections and 176 deaths from WNV in California, according to the California Department of Public Health. West Nile virus is endemic in California and presents a risk to public health every year.
Since there is no treatment or vaccine for infections with WNV, the best precaution is to prevent mosquito bites. All residents within the District should use repellents according to their labels, wear long sleeves and long pants if outdoors between dusk and dawn, and ensure windows and doors are properly screened to keep mosquitoes outside.
It is also critical that residents survey their property and remove all standing water to prevent mosquito reproduction. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in sources of standing water such as neglected pools, buckets, miscellaneous containers, puddles, and ponds. Eggs can hatch and mature into biting adults in five to seven days.
“One mosquito bite can change a life,” says Wakoli Wekesa, the District’s Scientific Program Director. “We urge residents to take these simple protective measures throughout the summer:
- AVOID overwatering and prevent litter, leaves and debris from entering the gutters and streets.
- DRAIN: Check properties weekly and remove all sources of standing water. Report green, inoperable pools or other sources of standing water to the District.
- DAWN AND DUSK: Wear effective repellents and long sleeves if outdoors when mosquitoes are present (between dawn and dusk).
- DEFEND: Ensure doors and windows are properly screened.
The District encourages the public to help identify WNV “hot spots” by reporting dead birds to the WNV Hotline at (877) WNV-BIRD ((877) 968-2473) or online at www.westnile.ca.gov. We also urge our residents to call the District to report any mosquito activity.
