Min-Lee Cheng, Ph.D.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Drastic Spike in Positive Mosquito Samples in the West Valley.
August 20, 2009 - Thirteen new mosquito samples collected this week have tested
positive for West Nile Virus, bringing this year's total to 27 positive mosquito samples,
seven dead birds, and one Sentinel Chicken.
The thirteen recent West Nile virus positive mosquito samples were collected at the
following locations: Carlos Avenue at Mission Boulevard, Parco Street at Riverside
Drive, and East Steen Street at San Antonio Avenue in Ontario, 1200 block of Ramona
Avenue, Fern Avenue and Edison Avenue, and 6000 block of Elena Street in Chino,
and Central Avenue at Fairfield Ranch Road in Chino Hills. Currently, four out of the
five cities served by the West Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District have at least
one positive mosquito sample in 2009.
The Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District in Los Angeles County has
recently reported its fifth human case of West Nile Virus infection, in addition to the
previous West Nile Virus positive dead birds and sentinel chickens detected. As of
August 19th, West Nile Virus infestation has been detected in thirty-five counties in
California, including 11 human cases.
The District would like to sincerely thank all of its residents in aiding in the battle against
mosquito-transmitted diseases and strongly encourages reporting many mosquito
breeding sites and dead birds.
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Call the District to report green pools, standing water, or mosquito problems:
The District is here to help you with mosquito problems, and will take anonymous calls
regarding green pools or mosquito breeding sources. It takes everyone's participation
and help to fight mosquito-transmitted diseases.
Symptoms of West Nile virus:
People infected with WNv can have 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
• Occasionally a skin rash and swollen lymph glands
Even healthy people may suffer sickness for several days to several weeks, and
be unable to function normally.
Symptoms of West Nile Neuroinvasive disease can include:
• Severe Headache
• High Fever
• Stiff neck
• Stupor
• Disorientation
• Tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness
• Paralysis
• Coma
This form of the disease can lead to long-lasting if not permanent damage to the
body and brain.
Remember to use these steps to protect yourself:
• Dump standing water - tires, buckets, birdbaths, flowerpots, and even
soda cans become "mosquito nurseries".
• Defend your house - make sure screens on windows and doors are tight
fitting and in good repair.
• Defend yourself - when outdoors at dusk and dawn, use a mosquito repellent.
The active ingredients DEET, Picaridin, IR 3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus are
the longest lasting and most effective.
For more information visit: http://www.wvmosquito.org and http://www.westnile.ca.gov.
Residents can now follow us on Twitter and Facebook!
To follow us on Twitter visit: http://www.twitter.com/WestValleyMVCD
To find us on Facebook just search: West Valley Mosquito and Vector Control
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Residents can also report dead birds and squirrels to the CA Department of Public
Health's toll-free hotline, 877-WNV BIRD (968-2473) or visit on-line at:
www.westnile.ca.gov.
For more information or an interview, please contact Dr. Min-Lee Cheng at 909-
635-0307.
