[News Release] – Everything residents learned last year about West Nile virus and mosquitoes will be put to the test again this year, warned the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District.

To ensure residents stay diligent, the District is partnering with the Mosquito & Vector Control Association of California (MVCAC) and the California Legislature to announce West Nile Virus and Mosquito & Vector Control Awareness Week, April 20 to April 26.

“The threat is real and cannot be underestimated. We can potentially see more virus activity in 2014,” says Levy Sun, the District’s public information officer. “Despite the drought, the warm weather and neglected water sources, such as swimming pools and flowerpot saucers, have provided perfect conditions for mosquitoes to thrive.”

Last year, West Nile virus affected nearly 400 people in California – more than a third of those affected were Los Angeles County residents.  The State Department of Public Health and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention anticipate West Nile virus will pose a similar public health threat again in 2014.

To increase awareness, the District scheduled numerous public events and encourages residents to participate and learn more:

• Wednesday, April 23 (10:15 am-11:15 am): Presentation at J. Riley Community & Senior Center, Downey
• Thursday, April 24 (6:30 pm): Cerritos City Council presentation
• Friday, April 25: Winners of 2014 Elementary School Poster & Essay Contests awarded
• Saturday, April 26 (10 am – 2 pm): Healthy Kids Day Fair, Southeast Rio Vista YMCA, Maywood
• Sunday, April 27 (9 am – 4 pm) L.A. Pierce College Farmwalk, Los Angeles

In addition, the MVCAC will be participating in a public education effort at the State Capitol on Friday, April 26th from 9 am – 1 pm.

GLACVCD urges residents to take the following safety precautions to protect against mosquito-borne diseases:

• Eliminate or manage all sources of standing water to discourage mosquito breeding every week.
• If you are outdoors when mosquitoes are biting, wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts and use an insect repellent containing EPA-registered active ingredients such as DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, and Oil of lemon eucalyptus (PMD). Always apply according to label instructions.
• Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.
• Contact us at 562-944-9656 or visit glacvcd.org if there is a significant problem or potential mosquito breeding source where you live or work.

Preventing West Nile virus is a community effort requiring community participation. Please visit glacvcd.org and watch an important video showing why mosquito prevention is so important.