Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District (GLACVCD) officials recently announced a partnership with Nextdoor.com to warn residents in Los Angeles County that West Nile virus activity has already reached “concerning levels” this summer, according to a press release issued by the GLACVCD.
Using Nextdoor.com, an online social media network for neighborhoods, GLACVCD will help residents get up-to-date information about mosquito-related issues that affect LA County, such as West Nile virus, in addition to Zika, dengue or chikungunya viruses. While the latter have not been confirmed in any LA County mosquitoes, West Nile virus is actively being spread by mosquitoes and continues to be identified in additional areas, according to GLACVCD.
This past week, GLACVCD confirmed an additional 21 mosquito samples and nine birds positive for West Nile virus. West Nile virus was identified for the first time this year in the following cities or communities:
Diamond Bar
Encino
Lakewood
Lynwood
Mission Hills
Northridge
Pacoima
Reseda
Sunland
Whittier
Winnetka
Residents throughout LA County are urged to take mosquito bite prevention and source reduction recommendations seriously.
Beginning in July, residents in communities where disease is detected will receive notifications on their Nextdoor page.
“Having the ability to easily communicate with residents is extremely vital to protecting public health, especially this summer as we face concerns of West Nile virus and Zika,” said Levy Sun, GLACVCD’s public information officer. “Using Nextdoor, we can target, and help empower neighbors to keep their communities safe and mitigate some of the issues around mosquito-borne diseases.”
With Nextdoor.com, LA County residents can create private neighborhood websites to share information, including neighborhood public safety issues, community events, activities, local services and lost pets. GLACVCD is able to post information, such as news, services, programs, free events and emergency notifications to Nextdoor websites across the county.
Nextdoor is free for residents and GLACVCD. Each LA County neighborhood has its own private Nextdoor website, accessible only to residents of that neighborhood.
Neighborhoods establish and self-manage their own Nextdoor websites. GLACVCD will not be able to access residents’ websites, contact information or content.
All members must verify their residence before joining Nextdoor.com. Information shared on Nextdoor.com is password protected and cannot be accessed by Google or other search engines.
For more information and to join a Nextdoor neighborhood website, visit nextdoor.com.
Source: Lowenthal’s office
