The West Nile Virus (WNV) is rising, with Los Angeles County experiencing the largest surge in almost a decade, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
According to health officials who released a news release at the end of September, Los Angeles County reported 268 cases, the highest level since 2017. The release also revealed that mosquito season typically runs from June to November in Los Angeles County.
According to San Gabriel Valley Mosquito District Manager Jason Farned in a statement from the news release, “West Nile virus activity is higher than we typically see, and our teams are actively responding with enhanced surveillance, targeted mosquito control treatments, disease investigations, and increased community outreach and education.”
He continued, “These efforts allow us to respond quickly where disease activity is detected, but protecting public health is a shared responsibility. We encourage residents to remain vigilant and take steps to prevent mosquito bites and eliminate stagnant water around their homes.”
MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Health Officer Muntu Davis said: “West Nile virus can cause serious illness, and the number of severe cases and deaths we are seeing this year is concerning.” He continued, “We are still within the peak period for West Nile virus transmission, so it is important that everyone take steps now to protect themselves and their families. These include using insect repellent, eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed, and making sure windows and doors have tight-fitting screens without holes or tears. Small actions like these can make a big difference in preventing illness.”
West Nile Virus does not spread directly from person to person. The virus spreads when an infected Culex mosquito bites a person, typically in the late evening through early morning hours.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), an infected Culex mosquito is simply a mosquito that has contracted and is capable of passing along viral diseases, which in this case is West Nile Virus. The Mosquitos do not innately carry the virus; they receive it through feeding on birds such as crows, jays, and robins, which are natural hosts of the West Nile Virus.
Humans are considered dead-end hosts of the virus because once humans receive it, the virus does not multiply within human blood at high rates, which could reinfect other mosquitoes and also infect humans through physical contact.
The time period in which mosquito bites slow down is toward winter, if the region or city has a cooler winter season. Los Angeles County
What you can do to prevent West Nile Virus –
- Keep mosquitoes out of your home by keeping tight-fitting screens on doors and windows, repairing and replacing screens that have holes in them
- Remove clear standing water in flowerpots, saucers, birdbaths around gardens or porch areas. Mosquitoes lay eggs and breed there. Empty items that hold water and are placed inside and outside of your home once a week.
- Wear mosquito repellent to prevent mosquito bites. Repellents are sold as lotions, wipes and sprays. Repellents containing oil of lemon eucalyptus, DEET, picaridin, IR3535 and 2-undecanone are the most effective in preventing bites.
- Wear long-sleeve tops and pants when outdoors. It can help reduce bites.
As El Niño season approaches, which will cause intense rainfall and stormy weather, Los Angeles County is expected to have a cooler winter. The rise in West Nile Virus transmission rate will seemingly drop when December arrives of Los Angeles County residents.
To learn about other preventive measures, visit publichealth.lacounty.gov.
