SKEETERS: An outbreak of the encephalitis virus...

SKEETERS: An outbreak of the encephalitis virus among birds in the Huntington Beach area has prompted a warning from pest control officials. . . . The virus does not affect birds but can be transferred via mosquitoes to human beings, where it causes brain inflammation. . . . “I don’t think we need to sound any alarm, but people should be concerned about being exposed to mosquitoes,” said one official. . . . His advice: Report concentrations of mosquitoes and drain stagnant water. A coffee can of water can breed 1,000 mosquitoes a week.