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LOS ANGELES, CA – The first human case of St. Louis encephalitis that has hit Los Angeles County for decades has hit the San Fernando Valley, where an elderly resident has contracted the disease transmitted by a mosquito.
The Los Angeles County Public Health Department announced Monday the disease, which the region has not seen since 1997. To date, only one batch of mosquito samples has been tested positive for the virus in the area of Playa Vista. The resident of the valley contracted the virus in late August, according to the health department.
The virus can be fatal and there is no vaccine against it. Health officials ask residents to protect themselves by avoiding mosquito bites.
"Since St. Louis encephalitis is transmitted to people by the bite of an infected mosquito, the best way to prevent infection is to prevent mosquito bites," said Dr. Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County Health Officer. "Residents must protect themselves by using an insect repellent registered with the EPA to prevent mosquitoes from biting you, and by searching for objects that collect stagnant water in their home or yard where mosquitoes can breed to get the water out. "
The virus is similar to West Nile virus in that it can be deadly in some people while showing no symptoms in others. St. Louis encephalitis affects the nervous system and can lead to brain infection, paralysis and death in severe cases. However, most people with the virus do not even know that they have it. The majority of those infected have no symptoms or mild symptoms, health officials said. There is no preventative vaccine and only supportive treatment is available.
People over the age of 50 or those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of developing serious symptoms of infection, including fever, headache, neck stiffness, confusion, and low blood pressure. vigilance. Anyone with symptoms should contact their health care provider.
To decrease the risk of infection:
– Use anti-mosquito products to prevent mosquitoes from biting you. EPA approved repellents containing DEET, picaridine, IR3535 and lemon eucalyptus oil are the most durable and effective. Take precautions, especially at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes that spread West Nile and St. Louis encephalitis are the most active.
– Ensure that doors and windows are fitted with mosquito nets that are snug-fitting to prevent mosquitoes. Repair or replace ripped or cracked screens.
– Mosquitoes lay eggs even in small amounts of stagnant water, including stagnant water in flowerpot saucers, old car tires, rain gutters, rain barrels and bowls. company. Check these items weekly and cover, clean or dispose of them.
– Clean and maintain pools, spas. Empty the water from the pool covers.
– Store garden ponds or artificial lakes with mosquito fish or other fish that feed on mosquitoes. Contact your local Vector Control District to make service requests, report mosquito problems, request mosquitoes, and report pools or neglected stagnant water where mosquitoes breed.
You will find more information and resources on:
– Los Angeles County Public Health Department: http: //publichealth.lacounty.g …
– California Department of Public Health: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Progra …
– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/sle/
– Log on to http://www.socalmosquito.org for more information on mosquito control and how to find your local vector control district.
For any question about mosquitoes, residents can call:
– Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District: (562) 944-9656;
– West County Vector Control District of Los Angeles County: (310) 915-7370;
– San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Valley Control District: (626) 814-9466;
– District of Mosquito Control and Vectors of the Antelope Valley: (661) 942-2917;
– Compton Creek Mosquito Reduction District: (310) 933-521;
– City of Pasadena Health Department: (626) 744-6004; or
– Long Beach City Vector Control Program: (562) 570-4132.
City News Service and Paige Austin, a member of the fix pack, contributed to this report. Photo: Shutterstock
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