WEST NILE FOUND IN CENTRAL PALMDALE FLOCK NO HUMAN CASES REPORTED SO FAR THIS YEAR IN THE ANTELOPE VALLEY.

Byline: CHARLES F. BOSTWICK Staff Writer

PALMDALE -- West Nile virus has been detected in central Palmdale, mosquito-control officials said.

Since the virus first turned up in the Antelope Valley in 2003 it has sickened and killed birds and horses, but so far no people, officials said.

``I hope we can keep it that way but you never know,'' Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District entomologist Karen Mellor said.

The most recent discovery of the virus, in two chickens living in a flock kept near 20th Street East and Avenue Q, was made by the mosquito-control district.

In May, the virus was found in a chicken kept near Division Street and Avenue I in Lancaster.

Last year, the virus killed 199 people nationwide, including 19 in California. So far this year, only four people have been sickened nationwide, none in California.

The low number of cases might be due to the weather patterns or heightened awareness of the virus leading more people to hinder mosquito breeding by removing stagnant water and reporting dirty pools, Mellor said.

Mosquito-control officials ask the public to help detect West Nile virus by reporting recently deceased birds -- without obvious trauma -- to the dead bird hotline at 1-877-WNV-BIRD (877-968-2473) or online at www.westnile.ca.gov.

West Nile virus is spread by mosquitoes, which feed on the blood of infected birds and then pass it on to humans or other animals. The virus is not spread by person-to-person contact or by handling dead birds, experts said.

Health officials say the risk of acquiring the virus is low. About 80 percent of people who become infected with the virus show no symptoms, and most of those who become ill show only mild flu-like symptoms.

In rare cases, the virus can cause encephalitis and death. People over age 50 are most at risk for severe cases of the disease. There is no specific treatment for the virus.

AT RISK

People at the highest risk of life-threatening disease are over age 50 or have weak immune systems from another illness.

Most mosquitoes do not have West Nile virus.

Eighty percent of infected people have no symptoms. People typically develop symptoms between three and 14 days after they are bitten by an infected mosquito.

Mild symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash. They pass on their own.

Of those infected, one in 150 can develop severe symptoms or die. Severe symptoms can include high fever, neck stiffness, tremors, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. Neurological effects may be permanent.

The best way to fend off the disease is to protect against mosquito bites.

Source: Los Angeles County Health Department, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

MOSQUITO TIPS

To reduce exposure to the virus, health officials suggest residents follow the precautions recommended for all mosquito-borne diseases:

Get rid of standing water, where mosquitoes can breed. Empty all small containers at least once a week, keep pools and spas chlorinated or drained.

Make sure lawn sprinklers are set so that the ground will dry completely before the next watering.

Get mosquito-eating fish (Gambusia affinis) for free from the mosquito district if you have sources that cannot be drained, such as fish ponds and large horse troughs.

Wear long-sleeve shirts and pants and use mosquito repellent containing DEET, Picaridin or oil of lemon or eucalyptus when outdoors during dusk and dawn.

Keep tight-fitting screens on doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering homes.

Horse owners should make sure their horses are properly vaccinated.

Report stagnant pools and other backyard sources to the mosquito district so technicians can treat them.

The mosquito district can be reached at [phone]. Its Web site is www.avmosquito.org.

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(1) AT RISK (see text)

(2) MOSQUITO TIPS (see text)