City
offers West Nile Virus prevention tips
By
Elena Encarnacion
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
For the first time this year in Long Beach, West Nile Virus has been detected
in a dead crow, found in a neighborhood close to Cal State Long Beach, city
officials said.
West Nile Virus, often carried by birds, can be passed on to humans through
infected mosquitoes.
According to the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS),
the infected bird was discovered in the 90815 zip code, in a neighborhood adjacent
to CSULB, in late May.
It is rare for humans, even after being bitten by an infected mosquito, to
be affected by the virus. West Nile Virus usually is only dangerous to the
immune suppressed, Dr. Darryl Sexton, a Long Beach City Health Officer said.
The virus generally results in fever, fatigue and other flu-like symptoms that
can easily be treated. However, in the worst cases, it can cause encephalitis
(inflammation of the brain).
Once the bird population has been envenomed with West Nile Virus, the presence
of the virus will be permanent, Sexton said. The disease is most likely to
pop up in the population during the mosquito-breeding season, spanning from
April to November.
Although most of the population is at low risk for contracting the disease,
Public Health Officials offer these tips on how they can avoid infection.
• Eliminate or remove sources of stagnant water, which serve as breeding
grounds, such as buckets, kids’ toys, or backed-up gutters.
• Only water the lawn and outdoor plants twice a week.
• Avoid outdoor activity at dusk or dawn, the times of day when mosquitoes
are most active.
• When outside, wear mosquito repellant that has a concentration of 10-30
percent to DEET. The level of concentration determines the length of time the
repellent provides protection.
• Report dead birds in your community by calling 1-877-WNV-BIRD. If the
bird has not been picked up within 24 hours, the California Department of Health
Services (DHS) advises residents dispose of the bird, handling it with a shovel
or plastic bag.
For more information on West Nile Virus and preventative measures to avoid
infection, call the DHHS Vector Control Program at (562) 570-4132 or www.longbeach.gov/health.
Information is also available at the DHS Web site, www.westnile.ca.gov. |
