Officials urge WNV precautions
By DANIELE HAMAMDJIAN Special to the Daily Press
WILSHIRE BOULEVARD — Health officials suspect the West Nile Virus might hit Santa Monica.
“The virus is moving pretty fast. It could take a week or two, but it’s coming,” said Robert Saviskas, executive director of The Los Angeles County West Vector Control District.
The Vector Control District has posted signs in area parks that ask Santa Monica residents to take precautions. The latest sign appeared recently just feet away from the children’s playground at Reed Park, located on Lincoln and Wilshire boulevards. There is also a sign in Douglas Park on Wilshire Boulevard and 25th Street.
Health officials estimate the West Nile Virus will infect all areas of Los Angeles County by the end of the year. In response, the Vector Control District plans to post the warning signs in recreational areas throughout the region, including Santa Monica.
“Nothing’s been found here,” said City Hall spokeswoman Judy Rambeau.
However, Saviskas said the virus might have already hit Santa Monica.
“It takes a couple of weeks before they succumb to the disease and die,” he said of birds infected with West Nile.
In a health advisory sent to Santa Monica City Hall on July 7, the Los Angeles County West Vector and Vector- Borne Disease Control District warned local officials it would be posting signs reading, “Disease warning, West Nile virus has been confirmed in or near this area,” in recreational areas within five miles of the known westward front of the West Nile Virus activity. According to the advisory, the pre-emptive measure also is because of “the increase in the number of people who will be visiting parks and other recreational areas during the dust and dawn hours during the summer months.”
The most recent human cases to be reported include an individual from Los Angeles County and two from San Bernardino County, according to the California West Nile Virus Surveillance Information Center.
All three were diagnosed with the mosquito-borne virus on July 14. This brings the human yearly total to 24; however, no fatalities have been reported in California. Health officials reported on July 9 that dead birds infected with the virus had been found for the first time in Inglewood, Rancho Palos Verdes and West Hollywood.
Although no infected birds or mosquitos have been found in Santa Monica, health officials are advising the general public of ways to reduce their chances of acquiring the virus. People are encouraged to eliminate standing water on or around private properties — about 80 percent of all mosquito breeding occurs in residential yards.
Health officials ask residents to follow the “four Ds”: ■ DAWN and DUSK — When possible, avoid spending time outside at dawn and dusk. ■ DRESS — Wear shoes, socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitos are most active. Clothing should be light-colored and made of tightly woven materials to keep mosquitos away from the skin. ■ DEET — For additional protection from mosquitoes, use an insect repellent containing DEET. When using DEET or any repellent, be sure to read and follow all instructions on the label. In most circumstances, products with 25 to 35 percent DEET provide adequate protection for conditions experienced in normal urban and rural settings. ■ DRAIN — Reduce the amount of standing water in or near your property by draining and/or removing it. Mosquitoes lay eggs in areas with standing water.
Since 1999 — the year the West Nile Virus was first detected in the United States — it has spread to 46 states. It has been detected in 14,245 individuals and killed 566, health officials said. West Nile encephalitis — infection of the brain caused by the virus — can’t be transmitted from person to person and can’t be contracted from handling live or dead infected birds. Health officials say that out of the people who are infected by the virus, about 80 percent will not show any symptoms at all. Up to 20 percent will display mild symptoms, including fever, headache and body aches, typically lasting a few days, and less than 1 percent will become severely ill — neck stiffness, high fever, coma, tremors, convulsions, paralysis and, rarely, death.
For mosquito complaints, call (310) 915-7370. The Vector Control District will arrange for a technician to visit and locate the mosquito breeding source.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 16, 2004. Read the original PDF.