3 West Nile Mosquitos Found in Encino—The Most in the Valley

Three mosquito samples—the most in the San Fernando Valley—were found carrying the West Nile virus in traps in Encino.

Click here for details about keeping your pool clean, and other tips for avoiding the virus.

District vector ecologists confirmed another 15 West Nile virus (WNV) positive mosquito samples collected within Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District boundaries.  Samples collected this week from Sylmar and Canyon Country registered WNV-positive for the first time this year.

In addition, eight dead birds were collected in seven communities within the GLACVCD jurisdiction and confirmed positive for WNV this week.

"Mosquitoes and birds are important indicators for West Nile virus," said district Public Information Officer Cynthia Miller. "West Nile virus is generally transmitted between infected birds and blood feeding mosquitoes. When there is a high number of West Nile virus-positive birds and mosquitoes in an area, residents may be at greater risk of infection if bitten by a mosquito.

Residents are encouraged to report dead birds to help with West Nile virus surveillance and control by calling 1-877-WNV BIRD or visiting www.westnile.ca.gov.

Please refer to the charts below for a breakdown of newly confirmed West Nile virus activity in the GLACVCD jurisdiction.

City or Community

Zip Code(s)

  # WNV+ mosquito samples

Canyon Country

91351

1

Cerritos

90703

2

Chatsworth

91311

1

Eagle Rock

90041

1

Encino

91436

3

Lincoln Heights

90031

1

Los Feliz

90027

1

San Marino

91108

1

Silver Lake

90039

1

Studio City

91406

1

Sylmar

91342

1

Woodland Hills

91367

1

City or Community

Zip Code(s)

WNV+ dead bird

Artesia

90701

1 American Crow

Long Beach

90808

1 American Crow

Panorama City

91402

1 Western Scrub-Jay

Sherman Oaks

91423

1 American Crow, 1 Humming Bird

Sun Valley

91352

1 American Crow

West Hills

91307

1 American Crow

Whittier

90603

1 American Crow

So far this year, GLACVCD has identified a total of 200 WNV-positive mosquito samples, 53 WNV-positive dead birds, and four sentinel chickens within its jurisdiction. Statewide, a total of 2,417 mosquito samples, 1,365 dead birds, and 389 sentinel chickens have been identified as WNV-positive.

The best way to prevent West Nile virus or any other mosquito-borne illness is to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and to take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites. 

• Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, especially between dusk and dawn.
• When outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and apply insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535, according to label instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.
• Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings. Try to keep doors and windows shut, especially at night.
• Empty standing water from items outside your home such as flowerpots, buckets, kiddie pools, and birdbaths.

West Nile virus is transmitted to people and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. There is no cure for West Nile virus. Approximately one in five people who are infected with West Nile virus will develop symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, or rash. Less than one percent will develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis. About 10 percent of people who develop neurologic infection due to West Nile virus will die.

For more information, please contact the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District at(562)944-9656 or visit www.glacvcd.org. For media inquiries, please contact Director of Community Affairs Truc Dever at (562) 244-2648.