West Nile virus continues to creep into the Santa Clarita Valley from areas to the south.

Twenty-three more mosquito samples and 14 more dead birds tested positive for the virus throughout the Greater L.A. County Vector Control District (most of Los Angeles County) – including one positive mosquito sample collected near the Vista Valencia Golf Course.

That brings to two the number of WNV-positive test cases in the SCV this year, both within the past few weeks.

So far in 2013, Vector Control has reported a total of 164 positive mosquito samples and 36 dead birds (usually crows or ravens that are bitten by mosquitoes) throughout the district.

The District recommends residents follow the Three D’s of West Nile virus prevention to protect themselves and their families:

Dump/Drain – Eliminate or report standing water on your property because that’s where mosquitoes breed.

Dusk/Dawn – Avoid outdoor activities when mosquitoes are most active.

Defend – If you are outdoors when mosquitoes are biting, wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts and apply insect repellent containing EPA-registered active ingredients such as DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, and Oil of lemon eucalyptus.

West Nile virus is transmitted to people and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. There is no cure for West Nile virus.  One in five persons infected with West Nile virus will exhibit symptoms.  Symptoms usually occur between five and 15 days and can include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, or a skin rash. These symptoms can last for several weeks to months. One in 150 people infected with the virus will require hospitalization. Severe symptoms include high fever, muscle weakness, neck stiffness, coma, paralysis, and possibly death.

The public is encouraged to report dead birds to help with West Nile virus surveillance and control efforts because birds play an important role in maintaining and spreading the virus. To reach the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), call their toll-free hotline at 877-WNV BIRD or visit them on-line at www.westnile.ca.gov.

West Nile virus continues to creep into the Santa Clarita Valley from areas to the south.

Twenty-three more mosquito samples and 14 more dead birds tested positive for the virus throughout the Greater L.A. County Vector Control District (most of Los Angeles County) – including one positive mosquito sample collected from Newhall.

That brings to two the number of WNV-positive test cases in the SCV this year, both within the past few weeks.

So far in 2013, Vector Control has reported a total of 164 positive mosquito samples and 36 dead birds throughout the district.

The District recommends residents follow the Three D’s of West Nile virus prevention to protect themselves and their families:

Dump/Drain — Eliminate or report standing water on your property because that’s where mosquitoes breed.

Dusk/Dawn — Avoid outdoor activities when mosquitoes are most active.

Defend — If you are outdoors when mosquitoes are biting, wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts and apply insect repellent containing EPA-registered active ingredients such as DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, and Oil of lemon eucalyptus.

West Nile virus is transmitted to people and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. There is no cure for West Nile virus.  One in five persons infected with West Nile virus will exhibit symptoms.  Symptoms usually occur between five and 15 days and can include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, or a skin rash. These symptoms can last for several weeks to months. One in 150 people infected with the virus will require hospitalization. Severe symptoms include high fever, muscle weakness, neck stiffness, coma, paralysis, and possibly death.

The public is encouraged to report dead birds to help with West Nile virus surveillance and control efforts because birds play an important role in maintaining and spreading the virus. To reach the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), call their toll-free hotline at 877-WNV BIRD or visit them on-line at www.westnile.ca.gov.