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More ELB West Nile Mosquitoes In Area b/w (July 20, 2005) -- LBReport.com has learned that a street gutter study of the ELB area bordered by Atherton St., Willow St., Bellflower Blvd. and Studebaker Rd. has recently turned up seven West Nile Virus positive mosquito "pools" (multiple mosquitoes aggregated for lab testing), plus a West Nile positive pool from an underground storm drain system...all within the area previously identified by the Greater L.A. County Vector Control District (GLACVCD) south of the 405 freeway.
LBReport.com has further learned that the data have prompted officials from the Greater L.A. County Vector Control District, UC Davis (experts in mosquito borne viruses), the CA Dept. of Health Services and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control to schedule an The de facto summit of public health and mosquito control officials is expected to discuss the ELB data and actions that may be in taken locally in response.
This story is developing as we post. Check back with LBReport.com on July 21 for further information which will be posted as newsworthy.
On July 7, as previously reported by LBReport.com, GLACVCD issued a release indicating it found an GLACVCD District Manager Jack Hazelrigg said in the release, "Residents in this area need to be aware of the increased mosquito activity and take precautions when active outdoors and make sure they do not have standing water on their property."
On July 15, LBReport.com reported on a map prepared by GLACVCD staff showing locations within the agency's service area (east of Lakewood Blvd., north of PCH) where WNV infected mosquitoes have been found this year. It indicates that parts of ELB, particularly south of the 405 freeway through part of zip code 90815 and southward into the Alamitos Bar Marina area, have experienced a number of mosquitoes confirmed positive for WNV this year.
 WNV mosquitoes in GLACVCD area to July 14, 2005. Source: GLACVCD [The map shows WNV-positive mosquito pools in the area handled by GLACVCD; the other half of LB (west of Lakewood Blvd. + parts south of PCH) is handled by LB's Dept. of Health, except for LB's NW corner which is handled by Compton mosquito control.] The WNV mosquitoes in the Alamitos Bay Marina area led GLACVCD to conduct pre-dawn ground foggings in late June in the Bixby oil field sump/unrestored wetlands area and nearby LB Marketplace. The procedure, which requires very specific weather conditions to conduct effectively, targets adult mosquitoes with an ultra low volume of synthetic pyrethroid, similar to pyrethrum derived naturally from chrysanthemum flowers. GLACVCD Scientific Technical Services Director Minoo Madon tells LBReport.com that subsequent tests indicate the ground foggings knocked down mosquito numbers in that area by a significant number. The agency has continued to urge residents to "protect themselves and their family by playing an active role in mosquito prevention," reminding the public: West Nile Virus spreads when mosquitoes bite birds infected with the virus (through a previous bite from an infected mosquito) and then bite people. Authorities say most people bitten by a West Nile infected mosquito show few symptoms or no symptoms, but for reasons still not completely understood about 1 in 10 or 15 may develop serious, potentially life threatening neurological conditions such as encephalitis and meningitis. Last year, an elderly ELB woman (area Clark/Wardlow) died and 15 other LB residents were confirmed to have contracted the virus. GLACVCD handles mosquito abatement in roughly half of LB: ELB areas north of PCH and east of Lakewood Blvd. LB's Dept. of Health and Human Services handles most of the other half except for the NW corner of the city, handled by Compton. "Symptoms of WNV infection typically begin between 7 to 14 days following the bite of an infected mosquito, and consist of fever, muscle and joint aches, fatigue, headache, and other flu-like symptoms. Elderly and immune suppressed individuals are at much greater risk for developing serious WNV illness such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain)," LB's Health Dept. said in a previous written release, which added: Public Health Officials are continuing to monitor and treat public areas to prevent the spread of infection in Long Beach and urge residents and business owners to protect themselves and their neighbors by following a few simple guidelines: Related coverage: Developing. Contact us: mail@LBReport.com |