A dead bird (American Crow) collected in Culver City has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). WNV is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they first feed on birds that carry the virus, and then bite a human or animal.
Birds routinely travel many miles from their nighttime nesting locations to feed and scavenger during the day before they return to their root location in the evening again. Although positive birds collected in a specific area are significant with respect to trends on a wider basis, it does not definitively identify a specific city, zip code, or location as the site where the actual mosquito bite and infection occurred because of these birds extended daily travel patterns.
Therefore, a bird infected in one location may die 1 to 10 miles away in another location. Positive results for sentinel chicken flocks, trapped adult mosquitoes, or squirrels are more specific with respect to the actual infection site.
Residents can protect themselves from WNV by doing the following:
The public is encouraged to report dead birds to help with West Nile virus surveillance and control efforts. Dead birds should be reported to the toll-free hotline at 877-WNV BIRD (877-968-2473).
Symptoms of West Nile virus:
People infected with WNV can experience a variety of symptoms that may include: no symptoms, West Nile Fever, or West Nile Neuroinvasive disease. Symptoms usually occur 2-15 days after infection.
Symptoms of “West Nile Fever” can include:
• Headaches (often severe migraines)
• High fever
• Tiredness and body aches
• A skin rash and swollen lymph glands
These symptoms may last from several days to several weeks.
Symptoms of “West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease” can include:
• Severe Headache
• High Fever
• Stiff neck
• Tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness
• Coma: This form of the disease can lead to long lasting and/or permanent damage to the brain.
For mosquito problems or to pick up mosquito fish, call (310) 915-7370 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
If you have any questions, please contact Robert Saviskas, Executive Director, at (310) 915-7370 ext. 223 or at email@example.com.
For additional information about the Los Angeles County West Vector & Vector-Borne Disease Control District and West Nile virus, please visit the District’s website at: www.lawestvector.org. WNV results are updated on a weekly basis.