West Nile Virus has been discovered in two samples of mosquitoes collected at Kahler Russell Park in Covina and at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden in Arcadia.
A rash of dead crows proves the presence of West Nile virus in the San Gabriel Valley. Arcadia and West Covina are the cities with the most documented cases.
West Nile Virus: infected mosquitoes, birds found in San Gabriel Valley. A recent sample of mosquitoes collected in Arcadia have been confirmed to be infected with West Nile Virus, prompting officials to emphasize prevention. There is no vaccine and no treatment.
A dead bird in Arcadia and two dead birds in Temple City were found to be infected by West Nile virus. The virus can be spread to humans by the bite of infected mosquitoes.
Sales of mosquito repellant have increased in the San Gabriel Valley due to threat of West Nile Virus. The California Department of Health Services recommends applying insect repellant with Diethyl-m-toluamine (DEET).
Officials estimate the infection rate of West Nile Virus is higher than what is currently known since health officials stopped testing dead birds where the virus is confirmed to be present. Arcadia and West Covina had high rates of infection among San Gabriel Valley communities.
In an effort to combat the spread of West Nile virus, technicians sprayed the 127-acre Arboretum with a pesticide called Scourge that kills adult mosquitos.
About 25 bird carcasses infected with the West Nile virus have been found in or near Arcadia. Dead crows found along the San Gabriel and Rio Hondo rivers could indicate a major outbreak is on the way.
Area cities face financial woes, as state auditor's report places six in high-risk watchlist category (Anaheim, Compton, San Gabriel, Torrance, Montebello and West Covina). Arcadia is coded yellow, with moderate risk alongside Alhambra, Glendale and Pasadena, among other cities.
Omar Francisco Garcia, 24, of Arcadia, was fatally shot by two West Covina police officers on November 17, after he allegedly attacked officers with their own baton. He has a history of fighting with police.
Two Asian men died Wednesday night after being gunned down as they left a restaurant in the 1000 block of South Baldwin Ave. One victim was identified as Kenneth Tsui of West Covina.
$2 million in funding to help provide more homes. San Gabriel Valley Regional Housing Trust gets state award for affordable, transitional housing. About 2 dozen cities have partnered, including Alhambra, Arcadia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, and others, to develop affordable housing.