Arcadia joined the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito Abatement District, making it one of the last cities in the valley to participate in a mosquito control program. The program is designed to monitor mosquitos that transmit St. Louis encephalitis, a sometimes fatal viral disease.
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.
A dead crow infected with West Nile Virus was found in Arcadia on September 3, and is the first confirmed finding of the virus in Los Angeles County this year. Exposure to West Nile Virus is spread to humans from the vite of an infected mosquito. Biting a bird that carries the virus infects a mosquito. The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District is encouraging the public to take precautions to reduce exposure to mosquitoes.
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.
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.
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).
San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District wants to control the West-Nile virus epidemic by sending Pasadena police helicopters over Alhambra, Arcadia, Azusa, Covina, Monrovia and West Covina. They identified 94 green pools and stagnant bodies of water yesterday. Owners will be ordered to clean them up or face a $1000 fine. Dirty swimming pools are the most significant source of mosquito breeding.
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.
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.