West Nile Virus Infections in Cerritos Continue to Climb, Two More Birds Test Positive

Two more dead birds found in Cerritos tested positive for West Nile Virus this week, pushing the total of infected birds found in the city to 14 in 2011, according to Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District officials.

The two American Crows were collected from the following locations in Cerritos:

• the 12000 block of Glen Creek Road
• the 16000 block of Flat Peak Lame

West Nile virus (WNV) is transmitted to people and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. There is no cure for the virus and only one in five persons infected will exhibit symptoms. Experts say the virus is not spread through person-to-person contact, or directly from birds to humans.

Just last week district representatives held a free informational session for area residents at the 's Skyline Room to discuss the spike in West Nile virus activity in Cerritos.

During the meeting, District Director of Scientific-Technical Services, Susanne Kluh, told attendees that dead birds were being collected in the city nearly everyday, indicating that more infections would likely be discovered in the local bird population.

And with current warming trend, district officals say the presence of mosquitoes is also on the rise.

"Mosquitoes breed more rapidly in warm weather," GLACVCD Public Information Officer Crystal Brown said in a statement. "With a higher abundance of mosquitoes comes a higher risk of West Nile virus transmission." 

Brown said that residents throughout Greater L.A. County should take note of the significant increase in West Nile virus activity this week and make sure to follow the 3 “D's” of West Nile virus prevention to protect themselves and their families.

The 3 “D’s” of West Nile Virus Prevention

• Dump/Drain: eliminate all standing water.
• Dusk/Dawn: avoid outdoor activities when mosquitoes are most active.
• Defend: use mosquito repellents containing DEET, Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus and wear long-sleeve shirts and pants when outdoors. Keep tight-fitting screens on doors and windows.

For further information, visit the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District atwww.glacvcd.org or call (562) 944-9656. Additional West Nile virus information is available at www.westnile.ca.gov.

West Nile Mosquito Samples in District Double in One Week

Collectively, the number of WNV positive mosquito samples reported within the district’s territory doubled within just one week.  GLACVCD reported a total of five infected dead birds and 46 more WNV positive mosquito samples, bringing the District's total to 26 WNV positive dead birds and 82 WNV positive mosquito samples so far this year. 

This week's results were broken down as follows:

Number of
Infected Birds

Number of WNV Positive
Mosquito Pools

Officials say these are the first cases of West Nile virus activity for Bellflower, Panorama City, Sylmar, and Valencia in 2011.

With a total of 14 West Nile positive birds found in the Cerritos this year, the city continues to lead the way with the highest number of ibird infections in the district's 34 cities and unincorporated areas. However, district officials have pointed out that these growing numbers may be misleading.

“If we get more reports from Cerritos that doesn’t mean that it’s worse here than elsewhere,” Kluh said. “Other people (in other communities) may not be reporting dead birds found.”

Residents are asked to contact the District whenever dead birds or tree squirrels are found to help with West Nile virus surveillance and control efforts. The California Department of Health Services’ toll-free hotline is (877) WNV-BIRD (968-2473).