Northridge, Reseda, among sites where signs of West Nile virus have recently been found in mosquitoes – Daily News

LOS ANGELES – West Nile virus activity continues to be detected among mosquitoes in Los Angeles County, the Los Angeles County Vector Control District announced Monday.

The district reports that West Nile virus has been detected in four additional mosquito samples from traps at Carson, Northridge, Reseda and Signal Hill. Residents are urged to use repellents registered with the EPA when they spend time outdoors to prevent mosquito bites and WNV infection.

Not all repellents are effective against mosquitoes, but the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends repellents containing the following active ingredients: DEET, Picaridin, IR3535 and Eucalyptus lemon oil.

West Nile virus is endemic in Los Angeles County and the summer heat can increase the activity of the virus and the mosquito population, according to a statement from the district. . So far this year, 10 human cases of WNV have been reported in California, two of which have been identified by the Los Angeles County Public Health Department. Visit CalSurv Maps for a comprehensive overview of West Nile virus activity this year in Southern California.

The district works throughout the year to actively research and manage water retention areas such as gutters, ditches, stormwater drainage canals, ponds and non-functional pools and ponds. . the public attention, according to the statement. Mosquito control is a shared responsibility and the district needs help from the community to eliminate water retention containers to reduce mosquito populations.

West Nile virus is one of the leading causes of serious nervous system infections in adults over 50 years old in Los Angeles County. WNV is transmitted to humans and animals by the bite of an infected mosquito. There is no cure for WNV. One in five people infected with the virus will have symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, nausea, or rashes. These symptoms can last for days or even months. One in every 150 people infected with the virus will have to be hospitalized. Severe symptoms include high fever, muscle weakness, stiff neck, coma, paralysis and possibly death.