The first human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) this year in Long Beach has been confirmed, according to the City of Long Beach. As of Sept. 11, 123 human cases have been reported from 23 California counties, including Los Angeles (4) and Orange (6). There have been two WNV-related deaths this year in California.
WNV is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Signs and symptoms of WNV may include fever, body aches, rash, nausea, vomiting and headache. Most people infected have no symptoms; approximately one in 150 may develop more serious disease, such as brain inflammation or paralysis. Persons with these symptoms should seek immediate care, according to health officials.
Summer weather and drought conditions create an ideal environment for mosquito breeding, according to Dr. Mitchell Kushner, city health officer, who encourages all residents to protect themselves from WNV by taking the following precautions:
• Avoid mosquito-infested areas, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
• Eliminate standing water on your property by draining water in neglected ponds, birdbaths, fountains, buckets, old tires or anything that can hold water.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants while outdoors at dawn or dusk.
• Use mosquito repellent containing DEET, Picaridin or oil-of-lemon eucalyptus. (Residents should follow instructions on the label. Consult a pediatrician for appropriate concentrations of DEET to be used on children under the age of 2 years.)
• Keep tight-fitting screens on doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering homes, and check to make sure window screens are in good condition.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, and drain water from pool covers.
• Limit the watering of lawns and outdoor plants to Tuesdays and Saturdays, and avoid runoff to gutters and around sprinklers.
• Report dead birds and dead tree squirrels to the California Department of Health Services by calling 1-877-WNV-BIRD or online at westnile.ca.gov .
For more information, contact the City of Long Beach Health Department Vector Control Program at (562) 570.4132, longbeach.gov/ health/wnv_info or facebook.com/ LBDHHS .
More information about WNV may be obtained at the California Department of Public Health website at westnile.ca.gov or at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at cdc.gov/ ncidod/dvbid/westnile .
