Community Corner

16 West Nile Virus Samples Collected in Encino

Statistics show that the virus is still active and a threat throughout the 91316 and 91436 ZIP codes.

Fifteen of the sampled mosquitoes and one of the dead birds collected in Encino last week tested positive for the West Nile virus, according to the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District.

The number is high compared to neighboring communities that only had one to three positive mosquito samples (see the table below). 

Crystal Brown, a public information officer with the district, said the positive samples were trapped from four different sites throughout Encino, including the Sepulveda Basin, the Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant and streets behind office buildings.

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"There’s not a particular reason why there's a high number of mosquitoes coming back positive in Encino," Brown said on Tuesday. "But when we see those kind of numbers, we definitely recheck all of our routes and sites and make sure we’re doing everything possible to treat chronic sources such as gutters, lakes, ponds, streams."

The Vector Control District identified an additional 20 dead birds and 40 mosquito samples testing positive for West Nile virus throughout Los Angeles County last week, including in Glendale, Long Beach, Studio City and Tarzana.

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This brings the district's total to 117 virus-positive dead birds so far this year, three of which came from Encino, according to Brown. She said the district also collected a total of 318 virus-positive mosquito samples, 43 of which came from Encino.

The district reported that the finding in Tarzana—where one virus-positive dead bird was collected—was the first incidence of West Nile virus there this year.

"There is cause for concern," Brown said. "Since the disease is spread from mosquito to person, it could be spread more easily to humans because more mosquitoes are showing up with the virus."

To keep yourself and your family protected from the West Nile virus, Brown recommended following the three D's of West Nile virus prevention:

Dump/Drain

Eliminate standing water on your property because that's where mosquitoes breed.

Dusk/Dawn

Avoid outdoor activities when mosquitoes are most active.

Defend

Apply an insect repellent containing EPA-registered ingredients such as DEET, IR3535, Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, and wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors. Use properly fitted window and door screens, free of tears, to keep mosquitoes out of your home.

Here is a breakdown of the 20 West Nile virus-positive dead birds reported this past week:

City or Community ZIP Code(s)

Number of West Nile virus-positive dead birds collected

Canoga Park 91303 1 Cerritos 90703 2 Encino 91316 1 Glendale 91201 1 Hacienda Heights 91745 2 La Mirada 90639 1 Lakewood 90713 1 Long Beach 90808, 90815 2 Norwalk 90650 1 Reseda 91335 1 Studio City 91604 1 Tarzana 91356 1 Valencia 91354 1 Van Nuys 91406 1 Whittier 90602 1 Woodland Hills 91367 2

Here is a breakdown of the 40 West Nile virus-positive mosquito samples collected:

City or Community ZIP Code(s)

Number of West Nile virus-positive mosquito samples collected

Chatsworth 91311 3 Diamond Bar 91789 1 Encino 91436 15 Granada Hills 91344 1 Hawaiian Gardens 90716 2 Lakewood 90715 1 La Habra Heights 90631 1 Long Beach 90815 1 Rowland Heights 91748, 91789 2 Santa Fe Springs 90670 1 Van Nuys 91406 9 Whittier 90604, 90605 3

For more information about West Nile virus and vector control services, visit glacvcd.org. For statewide information and statistics about the virus or to report a dead bird or squirrel, visit westnile.ca.gov or call 877-WNV-BIRD. You can also let us know in the comments below.


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