The Los Angeles County Public Health Department confirmed Tuesday the first 2021 case of West Nile virus reported in the area. A resident of South Bay was hospitalized with fever related to the virus in late July, and is now in recovery, County Health Department officials said.
Hospitalization is unusual for those infected with West Nile and occurs in approximately one out of every 150 cases.
Still, symptoms and health risks associated with the virus, which is spread by the bite of infected mosquitos, can be severe. Symptoms include fever, headache, nausea and mild skin rash. The virus can also lead to long-term effects on the nervous system, meningitis, encephalitis and, in rare instances, even death.
Adults over the age of 50 and individuals with chronic health conditions are at higher risk of severe symptoms, the health department warns. While not all mosquitoes carry West Nile, the species of bug known to spread the virus is found throughout L.A. County.
“There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat [West Nile virus] in people,” said L.A. County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis. The best prevention, according to Davis, is the use of mosquito repellent containing diehtyltoluamide, or DEET, picaridin or lemon oil. The Environmental Protection Agency approved use of certain citrus oils as natural mosquito and tick repellant last year.
Mosquitoes breed and lay eggs in pools of stagnant water, so public health officials urged county residents to take certain steps at home to reduce the risk of attracting infected insects.
Officials said residents should empty and clean household containers such as discarded tires, birdbaths, buckets, empty planters or pet bowls, once a week. Los Angeles County Vector Control, a public health agency tasked with carrying out property inspections to identify sources of mosquito problems, said anywhere water might collect could be a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Residents with pools on their properties should be sure to thoroughly chlorinate pool water and drain any water collecting on coverings. Residents should consider stocking garden ponds or water features with goldfish, koi or other species of fish that feed on mosquito eggs and larvae.
Thus far, agency officials have found mosquitos carrying West Nile in Bellflower, Tarzana, Studio City and Elysian Valley. Those numbers are expected to grow between now and late fall. In 2020, infected bugs were found in 60 communities across the L.A. area.