Mosquitoes Carrying West Nile Virus Found in Monrovia

The West Nile virus was detected Thursday in mosquitoes found in Monrovia and authorities are urging local residents to take extra precautions against the deadly disease.

The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District announced Friday that five to eight mosquitoes from Monrovia tested positive for the West Nile virus. The district warned residents to take "immediate precautions."

"Residents should take immediate precautions against mosquito bites by using repellents if outdoors between dusk and dawn and ensuring windows and doors are properly screened to keep mosquitoes outside," the district said in a written statement.

A total of 9 birds in the district's service area have also tested positive for the virus, including one from Monrovia. A map of the area of concern can be viewed here.

The vector control district also urged local residents to remove any standing water from their property.

"It is critical that residents survey their property and remove all standing water to prevent mosquito reproduction. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant w ater sources such as neglected pools, buckets, misc. containers, puddles, and ponds. Eggs can hatch and mature to biting adults in 5-7 days," the district said.

WNV is most commonly spread to humans and animals through mosquito bites. Mosquitos pick up the virus from dead birds. WNV isn't spread from touching or kissing, according to the Center for Disease Control.

Four out of five people infected with WNV show no symptoms, but a few can develop a serious case, according to the CDC. Up to twenty percent of people who contract WNV develop flu-like symptoms like headache, fever, aches and even a rash.

About one in 150 people develop a severe case of the virus, according to the CDC. High fever, stiffness, coma, vision loss, paralysis and other serious neurological effects have been reported. Sometimes the symptoms last for several weeks, other times they are permanent, according to the CDC.

Patch contributor Cassandra Morris contributed to this story.