(August 22, 2008) -- The Greater L.A. County Vector Control District (GLACVCD), which handles mosquito control in roughly half of LB (north of PCH, east of Lakewood Blvd.), says that from August 1 through 15 its staff collected 26 dead birds from within its service area...and the numbers continue to increase

Suzanne Kluh, GLACVCD's Director of Scientific Technical Services, says that just yesterday alone (Aug. 21), agency workers retrieved eight more dead crows in ELB. As previously reported by LBReport.com, workers retrieved roughly three dead crows on Tuesday (Aug. 19), roughly eight on Monday (Aug. 18)...and during the week of Aug. 11-15 between five or eight dead crows each day, with about eight on Friday (Aug. 15).

The agency's experience is consistent with wjay we're hearing. On August 20, an LBReport.com reader reported spotting a dead crow near ELB's Patrick Henry Elementary School (Conquista Ave. between Conant and Harco Sts).

On August 19, LBReport.com Community Correspondent Daryl Supernaw spotted a dead crow on Atherton St. directly across from CSULB.

Aug. 19, Atherton St at CSULB. Photo by Daryl Supernaw

24 hours earlier on Aug. 18, an LBReport.com reader advised us of a dead crow in the ELB area of Keynote Ave. and Monogram St. (east of Los Coyotes Diagnonal, north of Wardlow Rd.)

Aug. 18, Keynote Ave. at Monogram St.

Ms. Kluh said the dead crows may be an indication that West Nile Virus (WNV) is increasingly likely among mosquitos in the area...but it may also reflect a higher level of awareness among LB residents. She credited efforts by LB's Health Dept., LB media outlets (including LBReport.com) and LB city officials including Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske who went door to door in the area near Wardlow Park (which has had multiple trappings of West Nile infected mosquitoes).

Ms. Kluh noted that despite the increased dead crow count, health authorities haven't had reported human West Nile cases from LB yet...which she also speculated could be the result of LB residents being better informed and taking precautions," Ms. Kluh said.

What about Lakewood, we asked. "Lakewood has had its fair share of West Nile mosquitoes, but we haven't had as many dead crow reports from Lakewood," Ms. Kluh said. "For the entire year, we only retrieved 9 dead birds from Lakewood...af which two were West Nile positive," she said.

Most people who acquire the mosquito-borne virus show no symptoms; about 20% may experience some relatively mild symptoms (fever, flu like effects)...but about 1 in 150 can develop serious neurological problems. In 2004, when WNV first arrived in the area, the appearance of dead crows was followed a few weeks later by human WNV cases...including the death of an elderly woman in the area of Clark Ave./Wardlow Rd.

If you see a dead crow, call the West Nile Virus hotline (1-877-WNV-BIRD) and they'll tell you what to do.

Most important: the LB Health Dept. recommends taking some simple, sensible precautions to protect yourself and your family members and minimize your exposure risk.:

• 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.

Watch for further as newsworthy...and tell your neighbors about our coverage on LBReport.com, where we've been on top of this developing story from the outset.