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First sign of West Nile Virus in the Antelope Valley for 2018

by The AV Times Staff • July 31, 2018

LANCASTER – A dead Mockingbird found in Lancaster has tested positive for West Nile Virus, according to the Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District (AVMVCD).

The bird was picked up by Los Angeles County veterinarian personnel on July 13 near 20th Street West and Lancaster Boulevard and samples were submitted to UC Davis for testing, AVMVCD said in a news release issued Tuesday.

“This is the first sign that West Nile Virus is active again in the Antelope Valley,” stated District Manager Cei Kratz. “WNV is endemic in the area and resurfaces at different times each year. August and September are typically the peak months for virus transmission.”

Recent mosquito trapping has identified a few areas of unusually high numbers of mosquitoes. So far the AVMVCD has submitted 93 mosquito samples for testing and none of them have shown any signs of virus. District personnel are conducting intensive searches of those areas, including door-to-door pool inspections in order to identify and treat any potential mosquito sources.

West Nile Virus is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. Although most people that are infected do not show any symptoms, West Nile Virus is a potentially debilitating disease. Even mild cases of West Nile fever can cause patients enormous pain and discomfort for months. Though deaths are rare and typically involve patients who are already vulnerable, the virus can also cause paralysis, encephalitis and meningitis.

The District encourages residents to do their part to protect themselves from mosquito bites and West Nile Virus by following these recommendations:

  • Check your property for standing water and get rid of it.
  • Use CDC recommended insect repellents when outside during mosquito activity (DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, IR3535).
  • Make sure your screen on windows and doors are in good repair.
  • Check around faucets and air conditioner units, and repair leaks or puddles that remain for several days.
  • Report stagnant pools and other backyard sources to the AVMVCD.
  • Report dead birds by calling 1-877-WNV-BIRD (877-968-2473) or online at www.westnile.ca.gov.

The California Department of Public Health as of July 27 reported that 167 dead birds, 480 mosquito samples, 11 sentinel chickens, and 12 humans tested positive for WNV in California. At this time last year, the virus had been detected in 116 dead birds, 1,125 mosquito samples, 34 sentinel chickens, as well as 6 human cases in California.

The AVMVCD is also asking for the public’s help in tracking down any occurrences of the invasive mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus) in the Antelope Valley. These mosquitoes are able to transmit diseases like Zika virus and Dengue fever and have already been found in other areas of Southern California and the Central Valley – as close as the San Fernando Valley. The District urges residents to report mosquitoes that bite
during the day, so they can do follow-up surveillance and find possible infestations.

To stay up-to-date on new West Nile Virus activity in the Antelope Valley and any mosquito-related information, visit www.avmosquito.org or call 661-942-2917.

[Information via news release from the Antelope Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District.]

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Filed Under: Health, Lancaster

5 comments for "First sign of West Nile Virus in the Antelope Valley for 2018"

  1. Vic Boyd says

    August 14, 2018 at 3:01 pm

    For the record. my wife picked up this bird and telephoned the AVMVCD. They collected it from her.

  2. Babs says

    August 1, 2018 at 4:23 pm

    By a sizable margin, the laziest, most overpaid, most complacent government employees on California’s payroll: County Vector Control. Spate of dead birds within a well defined area, between Lorimer and 17th West, and between Lancaster Boulevard and Jackman Street, we lost track of how many calls we’ve made to the County Vector Control people. 4 dead ravens laying there a month on Jackman street, these people could not be bothered to lift a finger. Finally, a month later, they’ve rolled one of their mosquito units into the neighborhood, to “make an appearance.”

    • Shari says

      August 1, 2018 at 6:56 pm

      But, it’s Jenner Street where all those big birds were down. Not Jackman. People are always mixing up those two streets. All those big birds down in that one area, the 44900 block north of Lancaster blvd between Lorimer and 17th, something peculiar is most definitely going on.

    • Kevork says

      August 1, 2018 at 7:00 pm

      Just to the other side of 17th West, right behind the LDS Church, a local independent tree trimmer’s who rents in that neighborhood’s been dumping in that vacant field. 5 gets you 10 that has something to do with it.

      • Rochelle says

        August 2, 2018 at 2:52 pm

        … yeah, Henley’s tree service! I’ve seen his trucks sneaking in and off that vacant lot on a daily basis. Just over the wall, north side of the field across from the church, he lives in that little house at the end of Camolin. A while back the city chain link fenced the lot to keep people out. But, this guy rand down the fence, so he can get his trucks in and out. That guy’s dumping all over the city. But primarily, he dumps in that one vacant lot. A health hazard, a fire hazard, a breeding ground for rodents and insects, that vacant lot’s a public nuisance. Try to call to report the dumping, City of Lancaster looks the other way.

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