EFFORTS URGED TO COUNTER VIRUS.

Byline: Kerry Cavanaugh Staff Writer

One week after the West Nile virus appeared in California, mosquito fighters and water agencies on Tuesday urged residents to reduce outdoor water use to slow mosquito growth and lessen the spread of the disease.

Standing water in gutters, puddles, storm drains or even a few inches of water in a flower pot can become breeding ground for mosquitoes, which are carriers of the sometimes-fatal virus.

``This is potentially a very serious public health crisis, and steps need to be taken,'' said Christopher Voight, executive director of the Mosquito Vector Control Association of California. ``Water use and water control is a key element in the control of mosquitoes.''

An estimated one out of every 10 houses has mosquitoes breeding in the back yard. Just one mosquito can produce hundreds of eggs that become adults in five days, vector experts said.

Officials also are keeping a close eye on Hansen Dam, the Chatsworth Reservoir, the Sepulveda Basin and Harbor Regional Park in San Pedro - all of which are considered likely mass breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Last week state health officials confirmed the virus had hit California, with mosquitoes and chicken flocks in Imperial County near the Salton Sea testing positive.

There are no signs that anyone has contracted the virus in California this year. No infected birds, horses or mosquitoes have been found in the state other than in Imperial County, but it's only a matter of time before the disease is found in every county, officials said.

``West Nile virus is here to stay in California, so it's important for us to do what we can to help stop the spread,'' said David Souleles, chief deputy director with the California Department of Health Services.

Since the recent discovery in Imperial County, the Metropolitan Water District has posted West Nile information on its Web site, www.bewaterwise.com, and has launched a $1 million advertising campaign aimed at reducing outdoor water.

Last year the district and city of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department began to cut vegetation to help eradicate mosquitoes at Harbor Regional Park in San Pedro, which has one of the worst vector problems in the city.

``We sat down with everybody last year because of West Nile virus and wanted to make sure nobody could blame the city for being unaware or not preventing this,'' said Tony Coroalles, recreation and parks assistant general manager.

No such steps have been taken at Hansen Dam, the Chatsworth Reservoir or the Sepulveda Basin, but officials are monitoring those areas.

West Nile virus appeared in New York in 1999 and has since moved westward. There have been 1,355 cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control in 2003 and 19 deaths. Most people don't get sick, and some feel mild flulike symptoms. About 1 percent of people develop serious illnesses such as encephalitis or meningitis.

Kerry Cavanaugh,[phone]

kerry.cavanaugh(at)dailynews.com