District Steps Up Prevention Efforts in Response to Increased West Nile Virus Risks

Starting this morning and through tomorrow, officials from the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District will be making door-to-door rounds in Norwalk to warn residents about the heightened West Nile Virus risk -- a problem that has already continued to develop in Cerritos with growing numbers of infected birds and positive mosquito samples found almost every week.

The risk, officials say, is so high this year that it warranted a door-to-door effort to educate residents about the virus and potential mosquito breeding grounds. The last time the district made such an effort was in 2004, when the West Nile Virus reached threatening levels in the Los Angeles area. 

“(The door-to-door campaign) is something that we’re doing out of the usual,” said Crystal Brown, public information officer for the district. “ We are repeating the effort because the numbers this year are similar to those in 2004 and we are on track to have an epidemic year, this effort is to be pre-emptive and proactive to get the word out and prevent human cases.”

Brown said that Norwalk was targeted as one of the cities for the campaign based on scientific data showing infection rates and historical data. Norwalk, she said, has a history of having a high number of infection rates.

As part of the campaign, district officials will provide residents with instructive brochures, and offer to conduct yard inspections for mosquito breeding sources. The goal is to create widespread awareness, Brown said.

“We’re starting in certain locations and moving out,” she said. “We are targeting as many residents as possible.”

Other cities that are included in this effort are Sherman Oaks, Studio City and Whittier.

This year, the number of West Nile Virus cases is on the rise in the Los Angeles area. This week alone, there have been three more dead birds found in Cerritos, Brown said. In total, the district found 21 dead birds infected with the virus.

According to data released today, three infected, dead birds were found in the following Cerritos blocks:

• 12000 Block Dawn Lane
• 12000 Block Glen Creek Road
• 12000 Block of Dawn Lane

Additionally, two positive mosquito samples were found in the 17000 Block of Vierra. In total, there have been nine positive mosquito samples found, Brown said.

Earlier this week, two human cases in the Los Angeles area were confirmed by the California Department of Public Health. In total, there have been 10 human cases in LA County this year.

Brown said that most residents are happy to receive the information and are allowing officials to inspect their homes for possible mosquito sources.

In the coming months, more door-to-door efforts will be made in other cities in order to prevent even more human cases and to spread awareness and knowledge.

“(The West Nile Virus) is pervasive throughout all areas in LA County this year, and we’ll be moving to more neighborhoods as the summer continues,” Brown said.

For further information, visit the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District at www.glacvcd.org or call (562) 944-9656. Additional West Nile virus information is available at www.westnile.ca.gov.