Glendale man died from West Nile virus, health officials say
In this August file photo, Orange County Vector Control inspector Eddie Garcia looks at several tiny mosquito larvae collected from a Buena Park backyard swimming pool. An elderly Glendale man died of West Nile virus late last month after falling ill from being bitten by an infected mosquito, public health officials said this week.
An elderly Glendale man died of West Nile virus late last month after falling ill from being bitten by an infected mosquito, public health officials said this week.
The man’s death is one of eight fatalities linked to the virus reported this year in Los Angeles County, excluding Pasadena and Long Beach.
Countywide, excluding those two cities, 110 human infections have been reported so far this year.
While most people who become infected don’t fall ill, public health officials warned the public — especially elderly people and those with weak immune systems, who are most at risk — to protect themselves from contracting the virus, which is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes that feed on infected birds.
That includes wearing insect repellent, as well as long pants and sleeves, when going outside, especially at dawn and dusk.
People should also take precautions to keep mosquitoes out of the house by making sure window and door screens don’t have large holes.
Officials also urged residents to eliminate places where mosquitoes can breed, such as birdbaths, water bowls for pets and pools that are poorly maintained. It’s recommended that residents dump or drain the water from bowls and birdbaths at least every three days.
“All of that may provide a site where mosquitoes can breed,” said Benjamin Schwartz, deputy director of the acute communicable disease control program at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
For the most part, he added, mosquitoes remain in the same area where they hatch.
“You really want to be particularly careful around your own house,” he said.
Twice a month, vector ecologists collect mosquitoes from traps set up throughout Los Angeles County.
Two mosquito samples collected in Glendale this year tested positive for the virus, with the first one having been detected in July, according to the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District.
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Alene Tchekmedyian, alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com
Twitter: @atcheck