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Map Shows ELB, Alamitos Bay Marina Areas Had Concentrations Of West Nile Mosquitoes This Year, Prompting Forceful Vector Control Agency Response
(July 15, 2005) -- A map prepared by staff of the Greater L.A. County Vector Control District (GLACVCD) shows that within the agency's jurisdictional area, parts of ELB -- especially south of the 405 freeway through part of zip code 90815 and southward into the Alamitos Bar Marina area -- had a significant concentration of West Nile Virus (WNV) infected mosquitoes since the season began this year.
WNV mosquitoes in GLACVCD area to July 14, 2005. Source: GLACVCD
The map [which we photographed from a display; a digital version provided by agency staff was too large for our computer to handle] shows that WNV-infected mosquitoes were found just north of LB and then increased in frequency southward. [We cropped the map to focus on the ELB area; we also matted out a light glare (near Hawaiian Gardens) resulting from our photography].
The sprawling GLACVCD jurisdictional area covers half of LB (east of Lakewood Blvd., north of PCH), extends northward through much of southeastern L.A. County, through Glendale, into the SFV and up to Santa Clarita. The map doesn't include WNV mosquitoes, if any, found within other mosquito abatement districts. Half of LB (west of Lakewood Blvd. and south of PCH) is handled by LB's Dept. of Health, except LB's NW corner which is handled by Compton.
The concentration of ELB WNV-infected mosquitoes in the Alamitos Bay Marina area has led GLACVCD to respond aggressively. In late June, as previously reported by LBReport.com, it conducted pre-dawn ground fogging in the Bixby oil field sump/unrestored wetlands area and nearby LB Marketplace. The three ground foggings targeted adult mosquitoes (beyond usual water treatments that suppress pre-mosquito larvae). GLACVCD says an ultra low volume of ground based synthetic pyrethroid, similar to pyrethrum derived naturally from chrysanthemum flowers was used that immediately reduces adult mosquitoes and then dissipates quickly.
GLACVCD staffers say early indications are that the ground foggings worked, knocking down large numbers of adult mosquitoes. Traps that caught roughly fifty mosquitoes before the foggins showed single digits afterward. The agency says updated data are expected shortly.
On July 7, as also previously reported by LBReport.com, GLACVCD issued a release saying its tests indicated an above-normal infectivity rate for West Nile Virus (WNV) among mosquitoes collected within ELB zip code 90815 in the area between Bellflower Blvd. and Studebaker Rd. and from Willow St. to Atherton St. The agency urged residents "to take extra precautions and protect themselves" as well as undertaking additional measures of its own and said it is posting warning signs "in all public areas in the 90815 zip code."
The agency said that among mosquito "pools" (collections of multiple mosquitoes submitted for testing) within the Bellflower-Studebaker, Willow-Atherton perimeter, six of twenty pools were confirmed positive for West Nile Virus on June 29 by CA's Department of Health Services and the UC Davis arbovirus diagnostic laboratory. .
GLACVCD District Manager Jack Hazelrigg says 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."
The agency says residents "can protect themselves and their family by playing an active role in mosquito prevention" as follows:
Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Eliminate standing water on your property by dumping or draining water in neglected swimming pools, ponds, rain barrels, discarded tires, buckets, or anything holding water for more than a few days. This will stop the mosquito life cycle.
Wear long-sleeve shirts and pants when outdoors, especially at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are active.
Use mosquito repellent containing DEET.
Keep tight-fitting screens on doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering homes.
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.
The 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:
- Remove pools of standing or stagnant water, which provide a breeding ground
for mosquitoes. Some common sources of stagnant water are debris piles,
buckets, barrels, kid’s toys, and tire swings. Mosquitoes need water to complete
their life cycle, and they breed most actively in stagnant water.
- Clear gutters and drains of standing water.
- Change water in birdbaths frequently.
- Maintain swimming pools and spas with proper filtration and chlorination levels.
Green or dirty pools can breed thousands of mosquitoes in a week’s time,
unnecessarily increasing the population’s risk of contracting WNV.
- Limit the watering of lawns and outdoor plants to twice a week to avoid run off to
gutters and around sprinklers.
- Limit your time outdoors when you notice mosquito activity primarily at dusk and
dawn. If you remain outdoors wear clothing that provide more skin coverage such
as long sleeved shirts and pants.
- Use mosquito repellents containing 10-30% DEET when outdoors and especially
between dusk and dawn. The repellent should be sprayed on clothing and
exposed skin. Residents should follow instructions on the label. Consult with
your child’s pediatrician for appropriate concentrations to be used on children
under the age of two. Some non-DEET repellent products, which are intended
to be applied directly to the skin, may also provide protection from mosquito
bites. However, because studies have suggested that other products do not offer
the same level of protection, or that protection does not last as long as the
products that contain DEET, the CDC recommends that products that contain
DEET should be used when possible.
- Make sure that doors and windows have tight fitting screens and are in good
repair.
American crows and other birds are susceptible to WNV infection, and may be carriers
of the virus, which can infect mosquitoes. Residents are encouraged to report dead
birds by calling 1-877-WNV-BIRD.
Because of State of California Department of Health Services (DHS) policy, if authorities do not pick up the bird within 24 hours, residents are being advised to dispose of the bird remains. Residents are advised to not handle dead birds with their bare hands. A shovel, cardboard or plastic bag can be used to handle the bird, and it should be placed in a plastic trash bag for disposal.
If you have any questions regarding mosquito control and monitoring measures in Long
Beach, contact the DHHS’ Vector Control Program at 570.4132 or visit
www.longbeach.gov/health .
To report standing curbside water that has been present for longer than two days,
please call the Vector Control Program or the City of Long Beach Public Works at
570.2700.
Further information about the WNV may be obtained at the State of California
Department of Health Services website at www.westnile.ca.gov , or at the Federal Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile
Related coverage:
LB Health Dept. Urges West Nile Precautions During July 4 Holiday; Agency Says It's Increased Anti-Mosquito Efforts
Greater L.A. County Vector Control Does 2 a.m.-5 a.m. Ground Foggings To Kill Adult Mosquitoes In Bixby Oil Field/MarketPlace Areas
Uh-Oh: LB's First '05 West Nile Positive Mosquitoes Found
Oh $%#!: West Nile Infected Dead Crow Found In ELB Zip Code 90815
CDC OK's New Repellents To Fight Mosquito-Borne West Nile Virus
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