San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District
The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District has confirmed two more crows infected with West Nile virus and is awaiting confirmation on an additional bird. The birds were collected from the cities of Baldwin Park and Covina. Last month, the District reported its first indication of WNV activity in an infected crow collected from the city of West Covina.
Pictured: green pools found in the Altadena/La Canada Flintridge area. SGVMVCD graphic.
Crows travel great distances in a given day and it is often difficult to identify where they might have become infected with WNV. However, once infected, they are capable of infecting local mosquitoes that feed on them thereby increasing local transmission risk. Thus far, no mosquito samples have tested positive for WNV.
Of added concern, 62% of Los Angeles County dead birds reported to the State WNV Hotline last week were from the San Gabriel Valley. “This is not good news,” said Kenn Fujioka, Assistant Manager at the District, “WNV activity is increasing rapidly now that the weather has warmed. Residents must take an active role in addressing this public health problem.”
Residents are encouraged to:
- Report all dead birds to the WNV Hotline – (877) WNV-BIRD (877-968-2473) or www.westnile.ca.gov.
- Check for and remove all standing water around the home.
- Report mosquitoes and neglected pools, spas, and fountains to the District at (626) 814-9466 or www.sgvmosquito.org.
- Wear protective clothing and repellents on exposed skin when outdoors in the evening or early morning hours.
One neglected swimming pool can breed millions of mosquitoes placing an entire neighborhood at risk. The District’s annual Helicopter Surveillance Program has identified a record number of neglected pools this year. All of the WNV infected crows have been collected from areas with a high density of neglected pools.
Kelly Middleton
San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District
The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District has confirmed two more crows infected with West Nile virus and is awaiting confirmation on an additional bird. The birds were collected from the cities of Baldwin Park and Covina. Last month, the District reported its first indication of WNV activity in an infected crow collected from the city of West Covina.
Pictured: green pools found in the Altadena/La Canada Flintridge area. SGVMVCD graphic.
Of added concern, 62% of Los Angeles County dead birds reported to the State WNV Hotline last week were from the San Gabriel Valley. “This is not good news,” said Kenn Fujioka, Assistant Manager at the District, “WNV activity is increasing rapidly now that the weather has warmed. Residents must take an active role in addressing this public health problem.”
Residents are encouraged to:
One neglected swimming pool can breed millions of mosquitoes placing an entire neighborhood at risk. The District’s annual Helicopter Surveillance Program has identified a record number of neglected pools this year. All of the WNV infected crows have been collected from areas with a high density of neglected pools.