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East Long Beach Man Recovering From Mosquito-Carried West Nile Virus; Officials Again Recommend Taking These Mosquito-Protective Measures


Mosquito(Aug. 7, 2014) -- A 61 year old East Long Beach man -- with no underlying health issues -- is recovering after a bout with the mosquito-spread West Nile Virus. It's the first human case of WNV in Long Beach this year.

As LBREPORT.com reported on July 25, the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District said last month that WNV-infected mosquitoes had been found in ELB zip code 90808 and in nearby Lakewood 90713.

A City of LB release today (Aug. 7) didn't say in what zip code the recovering resident lives [and it wouldn't necessarily show in what part of Long Beach or elsewhere he acquired the virus from a WNV infected mosquito.] Dead crows began showing up in ELB in March; WNV infected mosquitoes were found in ELB in July...and authorities say residents should treat WNV as endemic regionally (basically everywhere.)

[Scroll down for further.]








With rising temperatures and summertime dusk-nighttime activities -- including band concerts and movies in the park -- authorities say it's wise to take sensible mosquito protective measures.

In today's release, LB Health Officer Dr. Mitchell Kushner encouraged all residents to protect themselves from WNV by taking the following precautions:

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

  • Mosquitoes can breed in standing water. 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 two.

  • 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.

  • Report dead birds and dead tree squirrels to the California Department of Public Health by calling 1-877-WNV-BIRD or online at www.westnile.ca.gov.

West Nile Virus is transmitted to people and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. There is no cure for West Nile virus. One in five persons infected with WNV will exhibit symptoms, which usually occur between 5 and 15 days, and can include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, or a skin rash. These symptoms can last for several weeks to months. One in 150 people infected with the virus will require hospitalization. Severe symptoms include high fever, muscle weakness, neck stiffness, coma, paralysis, and possibly death."

In 2004, a woman in the ELB neighborhood between the Skylinks Golf Course and Wardlow Park (an area near flood control and drainage channels) died from the bite of a WNV-infected mosquito. In Sept. 2012, a young East Long Beach man became infected and at the time was reported "recovering from the affects at home."

The GLACVCD handles mosquito abatement services East Long Beach east of Lakewood Blvd. and north of PCH. Roughly 2/3 of LB is handled by the LB Health Dept. (area generally south of PCH and west of Lakewood Blvd.) and part of NLB is handled by a Compton vector control agency.



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