West Nile Virus detected in LW
OC VECTOR CONTROL
West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquitos in Leisure World. People may notice Orange Mosquito and County Vector Control District signs on their daily walks, reminding them how to mitigate mosquito production and protect themselves from infection. The District has collected six positive samples of West Nile virus in Seal Beach mosquitos so far this year, with no reports of positive human or equine infections.
Signs posted around the community by the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District urge residents to dump or drain any standing water, repair window and door screens, apply insect repellent when outdoors and avoid spending time outside at dawn and dusk.
If the District continues to detect high levels of West Nile virus activity, it may apply adult mosquito control applications to reduce the mosquito population in the area.
The District routinely applies “biorational” pesticides countywide to control mosquitos. The term “biorational” relates to the application of naturally occuring mosquito pathogens and predators in a manner that provides effective mosquito control with the least amount of impact on the environment.
Currently, the District uses several biorationals, including two microorganisms and an insect growth regulator, methoprene. Insect growth regulators prevent immature mosquitos from becoming biting, adult mosquitos.
Preventing bites is an important aspect of reducing the transmission of West Nile virus. Most often, the virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, and those mosquitos are often infected by other vectors, such as infected birds.
West Nile virus affects the central nervous system. Of those who are infected, approximately 80% show no symptoms. The approximately 20% of people who do show symptoms may experience fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash.
In extremely rare cases, people will experience severe symptoms, such as high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. It can be fatal.
To stay up to date on West Nile virus and mosquito mitigation efforts, people can sign up for OC Vector alerts at https:// www.ocvector.org/sign-up-foralerts.
