Politics & Government

West Nile Virus: 3 Easy Ways to Avoid the Disease, Help Prevent Its Spread

Local residents are asked to use precautions and dump standing water where virus-carrying mosquitoes breed.

The Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District (GLACVCD) is appealing to residents to remember to take proper precautions against mosquito bites and West Nile virus (WNV) in light of this summer’s threat. 

They've already made recently and want to warn residents that more tests have recently shown West Nile Virus in the area.

“We know that residents are faced with a multitude of obligations and concerns on a daily basis,” says “GLACVCD is asking residents to just take a brief pause and remember to apply insect repellent when they are outdoors between dusk and dawn and to eliminate breeding sources around their homes. These prevention measures are easy to follow, don’t require a lot of time, and can save lives.”

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Residents can be proactive and follow the "3D's" of West Nile virus prevention to help stop the transmission of West Nile virus: 

Dump/Drain: Eliminate standing water on your property because that's where mosquitoes breed.

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Dusk/Dawn: Avoid outdoor activities when mosquitoes are most active.

Defend: Wear insect repellent containing EPA-registered ingredients such as DEET, Picaridin or Lemon Eucalyptus Oil and long-sleeve shirts and pants when outdoors. Use properly-fitted screens free from tears on windows and doors around your home to keep mosquitoes out.

Advice from state officials:

The best defense against disease transmission is being proactive and taking precautions to protect from mosquito bites. Follow these simple steps to protect yourself and your family:

  • Avoid outdoor activities between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
  • Wear long sleeve shirts and pants when engaging in outdoor activities during these hours.
  • Apply approved insect repellents containing active ingredients such as DEET, Picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
  • Keep tight-fitting screens on doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
  • Eliminate all sources of standing water around your home and property and properly maintain ornamental ponds, pools, and spas.
  • Request FREE mosquitofish from your local vector control district for placement in out-of-order swimming pools, spas, and ponds to control mosquito breeding.
  • Contact the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District at (562)944-9656 or online at (562) 944-9656 to report any significant mosquito problems in your neighborhood or online. The District strongly encourages you to report any mosquito activity near vacant or foreclosed homes and abandoned swimming pools in your neighborhood.

West Nile virus is transmitted to people and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. There is no cure for West Nile virus. One in five persons infected with West Nile virus will exhibit symptoms. Symptoms usually occur between 5 and 15 days and can include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, or a skin rash. These symptoms can last for several weeks to months. One in 150 people infected with the virus will require hospitalization.

Severe symptoms include high fever, muscle weakness, neck stiffness, coma, paralysis, and possibly death.

* DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE WEST NILE VIRUS? Click here for all the health information.

* REPORT STANDING WATER OR MOSQUITO PROBLEMS. Call 211 for the county, or fill out a form here (http://www.glacvcd.org/Contact) and you should be contacted within days.

* REPORT A DEAD BIRD OR SQUIRREL. Click here.

* DOWNLOAD BROCHURES OR REPORTS. For helpful brochures or reports, click here.

* INFORMATIONAL VIDEOS. Click here.

* DETAILS OF BIRD AND HORSE DEATHS. Click here.

* GREATER LOS ANGELES VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT. Contact the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District at (562) 944-9656 x511 or visit www.glacvcd.org.

* CALIFORNIA WEST NILE VIRUS INFORMATION. For statewide information and statistics about West Nile virus, or to report a dead bird or squirrel, visit www.westnile.ca.gov or call 1-877-WNV BIRD.

 Click above for video of mosquito controls in and around your home. 


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