(August 19, 2008) -- In a disquieting but not unexpected development, LBReport.com has learned that staff of the Greater L.A. County Vector Control District (GLACVD), which handles mosquito abatement in much of ELB (north of PCH, east of Lakewood Blvd.) recovered multiple dead crows from its LB territory last week (Aug. 11-15), an indication that the West Nile Virus may be increasingly prevalent among mosquitoes in the area.

We were told that GLACVCD staff collected several dead crows on successive days last week but we couldn't get a precise number by the end of business Monday (Aug. 18); we hope to have more precise data later today (Aug. 19).

In a separate development, an LBReport.com reader advised us on Monday afternoon (Aug. 18) of a dead crow in the ELB area of Keynote Ave. and Monogram St. (east of Los Coyotes Diagnonal, north of Wardlow Rd.). We drove by, photographed it (it's in the gutter near the corner) and reported it.

We phoned the West Nile Virus hotline (1-877-WNV-BIRD) and reached a state staffer who took down the location. She asked us several screening questions to determine if the dead bird was in appropriate shape for testing. Did it have bugs on it? (Yes, flies). Had it started to decompose? (It still had feathers and didn't look too bad for a dead bird). Did it still have its eyes? (Huh? We didn't look but you can see the photos we took).

The staffer asked us to put on gloves, put the bird in a plastic bag and wait for a local agency to pick it up. We declined this duty since we'd already driven back home...but we phoned GLACVD HQ in Santa Fe Springs and alerted them to the dead crow. That's when we learned its staffers reportedly collected multiple dead crows in LB last week.

"There'd been a few dead crows before, but the numbers really went up last week," a GLACVCD staffer told us.

In the past few weeks, GLACVCD trucks have been visible in ELB, with staff treating above ground and underground storm drains. The agency has previously acknowledged that various ELB and Lakewood area storm drains (including small underground drains) are well-known as potential mosquito breeding grounds...and the agency says it monitors and treats them accordingly.

LBReport.com first advised our readers weeks ago that the appearance of West Nile Virus positive mosquitos in May-June in communities to the NE and in OC would spread the virus to crows that would likely bring the virus to ELB by transmitting it to mosquitos. WNV positive mosquitoes did indeed begin showing up in ELB in June...which have now infected more birds which have infected more mosquitoes, increasing the presence of the virus among mosquitos locally.

As first reported on August 8 by LBReport.com, GLACVCD found more West Nile Virus infected mosquitos in zip codes 90808 and 90815 (ELB areas basically north and south of the 405 freeway)...plus more dead crows.

Five dead crows from these areas were confirmed to be infected with the West Nile Virus,, adding to a dead crow previously found in the area of Clark Ave. between Atherton and Stearns in ELB.

Unlike humans (most of whom don't show symptoms if bitten by a West Nile infected mosquito), virtually all crows bitten by infected mosquitos die, thus providing a visible barometer of West Nile activity in a particular area. No human cases of West Nile Virus have been reported in LB this year.

As previously reported by LBReport.com, LB's Health Dept. indicates that so far this year, collections of trapped mosquitos from six LB locations have tested positive for WNV in the general areas of Studebaker/Carson, Bellflower/Wardlow, Ramona Park North, Bixby Knolls Park, California Bowl and Hamilton Bowl.

A GLACVCD spokeswoman says only that trapped/collective tested mosquitoes have turned up positive in five areas along the San Gabriel River plus a location near ELB's Wardlow Park.

The Wardlow Park area is a few blocks east and a couple of blocks north of the area where the bite of a WNV-infected mosquito killed an elderly woman in 2004 (near Wardlow Rd/Clark Ave.). 5th district Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske (a registered nurse) recently walked door to door in the area to bring the latest information to residents' attention and encourage them to take sensible self-protective mosquito control measures (several listed below).

Mosquito control experts say that by the time infected mosquitoes and infected dead birds turn up in one area, the virus may have already have spread to areas beyond. (Infected mosquitoes bite birds that become infected and fly considerable distances where they're bitten by new mosquitoes which acquire the virus and spread it further).

Health officials encourage residents to presume the virus is now basically everywhere in LB, and residents everywhere in LB should take self-protective measures.

GLACVD mosquito experts have previously surmised that the San Gabriel River area and other flood control channels (which criss-cross ELB and Lakewood areas) may act as sort of "rapid transit" system for WNV. The Wardlow Park area is near a large open storm drain...and the Keynote/Monogram area (with the dead crow on Aug. 18) is just blocks from the Los Coyotes Diagonal area flood control channel.

Officials haven't officially linked either of these channels to the prevalence of West Nile; in the past, they've said the channels are less problematic (because they're treated regularly) than stagnant backyard swimming pools (which aren't treated and can become breeding grounds.

Most humans who are bitten by a WNV-infected mosquito and become infected don't show symptoms, a LB Health Dept. release says. The WNV virus' signs and symptoms in people "may include fever, body aches, rash, nausea, vomiting and headache...but about one in 150 may develop more serious disease, such as brain inflammation or paralysis. Persons with these symptoms should seek immediate care, the release says..and urges residents to protect themselves by taking the following precautions:

• Avoid mosquito-infested areas, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

• Eliminate standing water on your property by dumping or draining water in neglected ponds, birdbaths, fountains, buckets, old tires or anything that can hold water. Dumping or draining water will interrupt the mosquito life cycle. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

• Use mosquito repellant containing DEET, Picaridin, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. Residents should follow repellant instructions on the label. Consult with your child's pediatrician for appropriate concentrations of DEET to be used on children under the age of 2.

• Keep tight-fitting screens on doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering homes and check to make sure your window screens are in good condition.

• Maintain all swimming pools in a clean and sanitary manner, with all circulation and filtration equipment operational and chemical levels within recommended guidelines; drain water from pool covers.

• Limit the watering of lawns and outdoor plants to twice a week to avoid run off to gutters and around sprinklers. Do not over-water plants or lawns to avoid creating pools of standing water.

To view the LB Health Dept's WNV info page, click here.

To download a brochure with useful info, click here.

The Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District handles mosquito abatement in ELB areas north of PCH and east of Lakewood Blvd.

LB's Dept. of Health and Human Services handles mosquito abatement for most of the other half of LB except for LB's NW corner...which is handled by Compton.