(July 9, 2008) -- In disquieting developments that may foreshadow a tough encounter with mosquito-borne West Nile Virus (WNV) this summer, LBReport.com has learned that the first LB mosquitoes testing positive for WNV were collected in or about late June-early July in the general area of Hamilton Bowl area (PCH/Gaviota-Walnut) and the ELB area west of Bellflower Blvd. between Monlaco Ave. and Conant St.

In addition, dead crows (bitten by WNV-infected mosquitoes) have been appearing over the past several weeks in areas generally north and east of LB.

The ELB location where WNV positive mosquitoes were collected is just 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.) 15 other LB residents in various parts of town were sickened by the virus transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. (Generic image above from LB Health Dept. WNV webpage).

The two LB locations where WNV-infected mosquitoes were recently found involve storm drains, known sources where water can collect and serve as mosquito breeding grounds. Hamilton Bowl is a flood detention area...and the ELB area near Wardlow Park is near a large open storm drain (although neither has been officially idenified as a breeding ground for the most recently found WNV mosquitoes).

The Greater L.A. County Vector Control District which handles mosquito abatement in much of ELB (two other agencies handle the rest of the city), says its crews regularly check manhole covers and treat underground and above-ground storm drains and gutters with materials that disrupt the mosquito breeding cycle.

At the same time however, multiple agencies urge residents to take prudent steps to protect themselves against mosquito bites (details below).

LB Health Officer Dr. Helene Calvet, MD cautions against focusing too heavily on any specific geographic location...because mosquitoes fly and are propelled on winds...and infected birds (which spread the virus to new mosquitoes) fly even greater distances. Since the most recent test results only reflect activity from over a week ago, by now other WNV-infected mosquitoes may be in other parts of LB.

For all of these reasons, authorities say it's smarter to presume that WNV mosquitoes could be anywhere in LB and take precautions against mosquito bites everywhere in LB.

The arrival of West Nile Virus mosquitoes in LB in 2004 (described at the time by Greater L.A. County Vector Control authorities as reaching epidemic levels) included the appearance of dead crows (bitten by WNV-infected mosquitoes)...and LBReport.com has learned that over the past few weeks, dead crows have begun appearing (as in 2004) in areas to the north and east of LB...although none have been reported in LB yet.

Truc Dever, spokesperson for the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District (which handles mosquito abatement in roughly half of LB plus a sprawling area beyond) says that since late May and into June, dead crows have been found in and around Whittier, Norwalk, Downey, Diamond Bar, Bellflower, Santa Fe Springs and Cerritos.

GLACVD mosquito experts have previously surmised that the San Gabriel River area acted as sort of "rapid transit" system for WNV...with WNV-infected mosquitoes biting birds upriver, after which the birds fly considerable distances along the River channel (toward Lakewood/LB)...where the now-infected birds are bitten by new mosquitoes which acquire the virus and bite new birds, spreading the virus further.

The bite of a WNV-infected mosquito is virtually always fatal to a crow...and the dead crows indicate that a sufficient percentage of mosquitoes had become infected with WNV...increasing the odds that any LB mosquito bite might contain WNV.

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.