Someone Somewhere In LB Has Become City's First Confirmed Human Case of Mosquito-Borne West Nile Virus This Year; LB Health Dept. Offers These Tips To Avoid Becoming Next One

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(Sept. 1, 2016, 5:10 a.m.) -- Someone somewhere in Long Beach has become this city's first confirmed human case of the mosquito-borne West Nile Virus in 2016. An August 31 release from LB's Dept. of Health and Human Services didn't indicate in what part of LB (or elsewhere) the person became infected (if known), and in a follow-up telephone call, agency rep Joshua Holguin cited patient privacy in declining to do so.

WNV experts have previously advised LBREPORT.com that the location (which matters to reporters) isn't relevant to protecting oneself from getting infected; WNV is now endemic to the entire area; residents should assume it's basically everywhere and take precautions to minimize chances of getting bitten (see tips below.)

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LB is served by three mosquito control agencies: the City of Long Beach's Dept. of Health and Human Services handles vector control in much of Long Beach except for areas east of Lakewood Blvd. (handled by the Greater Los Angeles Vector Control District) and a small part of NW LB (handled by the Compton Creek Mosquito Abatement District.)

LB's Health Dept. reminds people that [agency release] "Signs and symptoms of WNV may include fever, body aches, rash, nausea, vomiting and headaches. Most people infected have no symptoms; approximately one in 150 may develop a more serious disease, such as brain inflammation or paralysis. Persons with these symptoms should seek immediate care. People 50 years of age and older and individuals with diabetes or hypertension have a higher chance of getting sick and are more likely to develop complications."

The agency release stated: :

Avoid mosquito-infested areas, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
Mosquitoes 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 interrupts the mosquito life cycle.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants if you plan to be outdoors at dawn or dusk.
Use mosquito repellant containing DEET, Picaridin, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, and follow instructions on the label. Consult a 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 window screens are in good condition.
Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, and drain water from pool covers.
Limit the watering of lawns and outdoor plants, to avoid run off to gutters and around sprinklers.
Report dead birds and dead tree squirrels to the California Department of Public Health by calling 1-877-WNV-Bird (1-877-968-2473) or online at www.westnile.ca.gov.