WEST NILE VIRUS IN SEPULVEDA BASIN AREA.Byline: ANGIE VALENCIA-MARTINEZ Staff Writer Mosquitoes collected in the Sepulveda Basin area tested positive for the potentially fatal West Nile virus West Nile virus, microorganism and the infection resulting from it, which typically produces no symptoms or a flulike condition. The virus is a flavivirus and is related to a number of viruses that cause encephalitis. -- only the second positive test this year in Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. County, a hot spot for the disease in past years. Officials said Tuesday they plan to conduct aerial spraying next Monday around the basin to kill mosquitoes that can transmit the disease to humans after feeding on birds that carry the virus. The announcement was made after the virus was detected in four samples collected in the 91436 ZIP code zip code System of postal-zone codes (zip stands for “zone improvement plan”) introduced in the U.S. in 1963 to improve mail delivery and exploit electronic reading and sorting capabilities. by the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control Vector control is any method to limit or eradicate the vectors of vector born diseases, for which the pathogen (e.g. virusor parasite) is transmitted by a vector which can be mammals, birds or arthropods, especially insects, and more specifically mosquitoes. District. ``This year, we have not had much virus activity,'' said Minoo Madon, scientific-technical services director for the district. That contrasts sharply with previous years. By this time last year, officials had collected 70 positive mosquito samples and carcasses of 11 birds that had died from the virus. And by mid-August 2004, 189 people statewide had contracted the disease, including 59 in Los Angeles County. Although no human cases have been reported this year, Madon warned that residents should protect themselves outdoors at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active, by using insect repellants containing DEET and by wearing shirts and pants that cover the arms and legs. Vector-control officials urge residents to remove any stagnant water from their yards to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. Dead birds can be reported by calling the California Department of Health Services Department of Health Services may refer to:
Madon said the first year of a West Nile West Nile may refer to:
``Then it starts to subside,'' he said. ``It may lay low or disappear for a while, but never forever.'' angie.valencia(at)dailynews.com (818) 713-3699 |
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