This is the first positive West Nile virus mosquito sample within the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District Service Area for this year

 Santa Fe Springs, CA (June 13, 2022) – The Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District (GLACVCD/District) has confirmed a West Nile virus (WNV) positive mosquito sample in Los Angeles County. The positive mosquito sample was collected from a mosquito trap in Bellflower, confirming the presence of the virus in mosquito populations within the community. While this confirmation serves as the District’s first positive WNV mosquito sample this year, the virus was detected in three dead American crows collected in a neighborhood of North Hills on May 26th.

“West Nile virus is spread among bird populations and transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito,” said Steve Vetrone, director of Scientific-Technical Services. “It is very important to remember that at this time the virus could be anywhere, even though we may not have detected it yet.”

Because there is no human vaccine for West Nile Virus, residents must be proactive against mosquito bites by wearing insect repellent. Many mosquito repellents are available to prevent bites, but they do not all work equally well. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend products with the active ingredients DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus as being safe and effective against mosquitoes that can transmit disease when used according to the labels.

Mosquito control is a shared responsibility and residents must take an active role in reducing the threat of WNV in their neighborhoods by taking these additional steps:

• Eliminate standing water in clogged rain gutters, rain barrels, discarded tires, buckets, watering troughs or anything that holds water for more than a week.
• Ensure that swimming pools, spas, and ponds are properly maintained.
• Change the water in pet dishes, bird baths and other small containers weekly.
• Request mosquitofish from your local vector control district for placement in ornamental ponds.
• Report neglected (green) swimming pools in your neighborhood to your vector control district.

For more information, residents can contact the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District at 562-944-9656, online at www.glacvcd.org, or on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. 

###

Media Contacts

Anais Medina Diaz, Public Information Officer | amedinadiaz@GLAmosquito.org 

Mary-Joy Coburn, Director of Communications | mjcoburn@GLAmosquito.org