West Hollywood Bird Tests Positive for West Nile Virus

A dead bird collected in the 90069 ZIP Code has tested positive for West Nile virus, according to the Los Angeles County West Vector & Vector-Borne Disease Control District.

West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne illness. It most commonly affects birds, but can also spread to humans, mammals and reptiles.

"Birds routinely travel many miles from their nighttime nesting locations to feed and scavenge at other areas during the day before they return to their root location in the evening again," states the public health advisory. "It does not definitively identify a specific city, zip code, or location as the site where the actual mosquito bite and infection occurred because of their wide daily travel patterns."

So far this year, there have been 128 ZIP Codes in Los Angeles County that have recorded positive West Nile virus results from dead birds, dead squirrels, trapped adult mosquitoes, or sentinel chicken flocks, reports the city. A chicken in the Franklin Canyon area .

Those who frequent the Franklin Canyon area are advised to take precautions against being bitten by infected mosquitoes.

The mosquitoes primarily bite in the early morning and evening. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535 and oil of lemon eucalyptus are the most long-lasting and effective repellents, experts say.

Residents should also ensure that the doors and windows to their homes have tight-fitting screens to keep mosquitoes out. The insects lay their eggs in standing water and all sources of standing water should be eliminated from one's property, including flowerpots, rain gutters and pet water bowls. Swimming pools, hot tubs and ornamental ponds should be properly maintained. If you have a pond, use mosquito fish; you can obtain these fish for free from the West Vector & Vector-Borne Disease Control District by calling 310-915-7370.

The public is encouraged to report dead birds by calling a toll-free hotline at 877-WNV-BIRD.

People who have West Nile virus fever can have a variety of symptoms, or none at all. Symptoms can include headaches, high fever, body aches, tiredness, rash and swollen lymph nodes. These symptoms can last from several days to a few weeks.

Symptoms of West Nile neuroinvasive disease, which occurs when the virus affects a person's nervous system, can include severe headaches, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis and coma. This form of the disease can lead to long-lasting or permanent brain damage.

With either form of the disease, symptoms usuallly develop within two to 15 days of infection.

To find out more about how to protect yourself from West Nile virus, click here.

This report was compiled with information from the Los Angeles County West Vector & Vector-Borne Disease Control District.

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