> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Itching for an update on West Nile Virus
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/itching-for-an-update-on-west-nile-virus/
- Published: 2004-09-27T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T05:12:24.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: local, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By Daily Press staff*

With the dog days of summer wrapping up, mosquito season is nearly over. However, it is no time to let your guard down — West Nile Virus is getting closer. As the first human West Nile Virus case in the South Bay was just reported in Torrance, City Hall is urging residents to take the following precautions to keep West Nile out of Santa Monica. ■ Use insect repellent on exposed skin when outdoors, especially when in areas where mosquitoes are known to be active. ■ Limit outdoor activity during dawn and early evening, when mosquitoes are most active, and wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when you must be outdoors during those times. ■ If you are over 50 or in ill health, be especially vigilant about the above. ■ Do not touch dead birds — humans don’t get West Nile from such contact, but the birds may have other diseases. ■ Remove standing water on your own property within four days. Water standing for briefer periods is not a problem, as the mosquito breeding cycle is seven days. ■ Gutter water is usually not a breeding ground, as it is disturbed regularly by cars and street sweeping equipment, but as an extra precaution you can disperse water in the gutter with a broom. ■ Turn empty buckets, pots and other large outdoor containers upside down to prevent water collection. ■ Avoid over watering and hosing down paved areas to prevent water collection and potential mosquito breeding.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 27, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/092704.pdf?ref=smdp.com)