Recently, the L.A. County Veterinary Public Health and Rabies Control Program officials confirmed a dead bird found within the Santa Clarita Valley tested positive for West Nile Virus.
“Regarding the West Nile Virus, the public must remain vigilant and not let their guard down. To prevent human cases from occurring, the City is encouraging residents to take extra precautions and prevent mosquito bites, especially between dusk and dawn,” commented Mayor Marsha McLean.
Although there has been no documented human outbreak of the West Nile Virus in the Santa Clarita Valley, it can be passed to people by mosquitoes. The virus is not transmitted by birds.
When dealing with West Nile virus, prevention is key. Fighting mosquito bites reduces your risk of getting the disease, along with others that mosquitoes can carry. To reduce your risk: avoid bites and illness, clean out the mosquitoes from the places where you work and play, and help your community control the disease.
The chance that any one person is going to become ill from a single mosquito bite remains low. The risk of severe illness and death is highest for people over 50-years-old, although people of all ages can become ill.
The hours from dusk to dawn are peak mosquito biting times for many species of mosquitoes. Experts urge citizens to take extra care using repellent and protective clothing during the evening and early morning -- or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times of the day.
Public health officials have several tips for residents. Even though it’s very dry, there still are issues with stagnant water and pools that are not properly maintained. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water so limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by getting rid of items that hold water.
Also, pay close attention to abandoned foreclosures homes that have pools, and report them so that the standing water may be mitigated.
West Nile virus is here to stay and residents can protect themselves and their family by playing an active role in mosquito prevention by doing the following:
- Inspect front and backyards. Eliminate standing water in clogged rain gutters, rain barrels, discarded tires, buckets, watering troughs or anything that holds water for more than a week to break the mosquito life cycle.
- Ensure that swimming pools, spas, and ponds are properly maintained.
- Change the water in pet dishes and replace water in birdbaths weekly.
- Fix leaky faucets and sprinklers that may create puddles.
- Wear long sleeve shirts and pants outdoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using mosquito repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
- Keep tight fitting screens on doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes
- Pick up FREE mosquitofish at your local vector control district for placement in out-of-order swimming pools, spas, and ponds to control mosquitoes. Please call your local district before arriving to confirm mosquitofish are available.
- A West Nile virus vaccine for horses is available and horse owners should contact a veterinarian about timely vaccination.
Dead birds may be a sign that West Nile virus is circulating between birds and the mosquitoes in an area. By reporting dead birds to state and local health departments, you can play an important role in monitoring West Nile virus. Please call the CA Department of Health Services toll-free hotline at 877-WNV BIRD or visit on-line at: www.westnile.ca.gov.
For more information about the West Nile Virus in horses, contact (916) 654-1447.
For more information about the West Nile Virus, please contact the LA County Department of Health Services West Nile Hot Line at (800) 975-4448 or the L.A. County Vector Control at (562) 944-9656 or visit: www.glacvcd.org
