Dead Bird Infected With West Nile Virus Found in Chatsworth

West Nile Virus (WNV) is spreading in the San Fernando Valley, including Chatsworth.

The disease has the potentiality of expanding in epidemic proportions, says Crystal Brown, public information officer for the county Vector Control District, in the accompanyng video.

The virus is transmitted to people and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito, and cannot be transmitted person to person, according to the California Department of Public Health.

There is no cure for West Nile Virus, nor is there a vaccine. One in five persons infected with West Nile virus will exhibit symptoms. Symptoms usually occur between five and 15 days and can include fever, headache, body aches, nausea or a skin rash. These symptoms can last for several weeks to months.

One in 150 people infected with the virus will require hospitalization. Severe symptoms include high fever, muscle weakness, neck stiffness, coma, paralysis and possibly death, according to health officials.

In the past week, 23 dead birds were found with the West Nile Virus, and nine were found in the San Fernando Valley area, including communities such as Chatsworth, Encino, Northridge and Van Nuys.

Of the mosquito samples testing positive for the virus, nearly one-fourth of them, 18 of the 42, were found in the San Fernando Valley, particularly in Chatsworth and Encino.

Two more dead birds were found containing the West Nile Virus in Studio City this week, bringing the .

And, for the first time this year, a dead bird with the potentially deadly virus was found in a bird in North Hollywood in the 91606 ZIP code.

There were no further incidents of the virus

"These tests show a continuing need to be vigilant in trying to prevent places for mosquitoes to breed," said Brown.

In this case, it is important to never touch a dead bird that may be found in the neighborhood and certainly educate children of the dangers of touching any dead wildlife they may find.

Brown said that residents should seek out any standing water, especially in pools and fountains, that could provide breeding grounds for mosquitos which transmit the virus to humans. The Vector Control District can help eradicate breeding in ponds and pools with fish that eat the bugs.

Brown explained that most of the mosquito species found in Southern California that spread West Nile Virus are most active between dusk and dawn, and so outdoor activities should be avoided during that time whenever possible.

Vector officials recommend wearing long sleeve shirts and pants at night and using insect repellent containing EPA-registered active ingredients such as DEET, Picaridin or lemon eucalyptus oil.

Please refer to the chart below for a breakdown of the 23 WNV positive dead birds identified this past week.  

City or Community

Zip Code(s)

Number of WNV+

dead birds collected

Artesia

90701

1

Bellflower

90706

1

Cerritos

90703

4

Chatsworth

91311

1

Encino

91316

1

La Mirada

90638

1

Long Beach

90815

2

North Hills

91343

1

North Hollywood

91606

1

Northridge

91325

1

Norwalk

90650

3

Studio City

91604

2

Sylmar

91342

1

Van Nuys

91405

1

West Hills

91307

1

Whittier

90603

1 

Please refer to the chart below for a breakdown of the 42 West Nile Virus positive mosquito samples identified this past week. 

City or Community

Zip Code(s)

Number of WNV+

mosquito samples collected

Bellflower

90706

2

Burbank

91502

1

Chatsworth

91311

3

Downey

90241, 90240

5

Encino

91436

7

Granada Hills

91344

2

Hawaiian Gardens

90716

1

Lakewood

90713, 90712

6

Long Beach

90808

1

Mission Hills

91345

1

Montebello

90640

1

Northridge

91326

1

Pico Rivera

90660

4

South El Monte

91733

2

Van Nuys

91406

4

Whittier

90604

1

"We will still be making visits to areas that we have identified as hot spots and bring fliers to the neighborhoods," said .

Only the southern end of Los Angeles County has shown more incidents of West Nile Virus than other areas, and Brown said it has nothing to do with the Los Angeles River, because the water is generally moving there.

The new tests not only show the first incidents of the virus in North Hollywood for 2011, but also for the communities of North Hills in the West Valley and Artesia and Mission Hills.

The Los Angeles totals for the year are 74 positive dead birds, 249 positive mosquito samples, and four sentinel chickens with West Nile Virus antibodies so far this year.

Statewide, there have been 221 positive dead birds and 808 positive mosquito samples.

Residents can be proactive and follow the 3 D's of West Nile Virus prevention to help stop the transmission of West Nile Virus:

1. Dump/Drain - Eliminate standing water because that's where mosquitoes breed.

2. Dusk/Dawn - Avoid outdoor activities when mosquitoes are most active.

3. Defend - Wear insect repellent containing EPA-registered ingredients such as DEET, Picaridin or Lemon Eucalyptus Oil and long-sleeve shirts and pants when outdoors. Use properly-fitted screens free from tears on windows and doors around your home to keep mosquitoes out.

For more information about West Nile virus and our vector control services, call 562-944-9656 or visit www.glacvcd.org.  

For statewide information and statistics about West Nile virus, or to report a dead bird or squirrel, visit www.westnile.ca.gov or call 877-WNV-BIRD.

Click here for information on the easiest ways to free your house of mosquitoes.  

Click here for all the health information.