If you live in most of the southwest, you might be surprised to hear that the West Nile Virus has just been found in Los Angeles County. Unfortunately, mosquitoes with the West Nile Virus have been plaguing the Phoenix area for years. According to the Daily Breeze, Mosquitos carrying the West Nile Virus have been found at Torrance’s Madrona Marsh nature Preserve. Two men recently tested positive for the virus and several dead birds were found to have the virus.
According to the article, the reports are more frequent than normal and the outbreak is considered an epidemic since there have been more reports this year than there have been since the virus outbreak in 2004. The outbreak might be due to an especially wet winter followed by a warm summer.
Although the virus can be deadly to animals, it is usually not fatal to humans. Those who are in poor health or the elderly can be at risk but for most, the virus only causes flu-like symptoms. Park officials are getting the word out that the virus has been found in the area and they are doing what they can to kill many of the mosquitoes; mainly cutting back the vegetation and eliminating standing water.