West Nile Virus Found In South California Mosquitoes. Here's How You Can Protect Yourself

West Nile Virus (WNV) is the leading cause of mosquito-borne illnesses in the nation. Mosquitoes infected with the virus were discovered in Palm desert and the virus first appeared in the U.S. in 1999, reported the vector control.

The mosquitoes were collected from a trap in Hacienda Heights where adult mosquito population and female mosquitoes are routinely monitored for the presence of mosquito-borne viruses including the WNV, according to the Greater Los Angeles Country Vector Control District (GLACVCD).

“This detection should serve as a reminder that WNV is endemic in Los Angeles County. As temperatures increase, so do mosquito populations and disease risk, which poses a serious public health threat in our communities,'' Susanne Kluh, director of Scientific-Technical Services at GLACVCD told NBC Los Angeles.

Just a single bite from an infected mosquito can make someone sick. The district spokeswoman Tammy Gordon urged everyone to cover up and use mosquito repellents, especially at dusk and dawn when the mosquitos are the most active.

Thankfully, there aren’t any reported human cases of West Nile Virus infections in California currently, confirmed the vector control officials.

WNV gets transmitted to human beings and animals via the bite of an infected mosquito. There isn’t a cure for this disease yet and the symptoms include fever, body aches, headaches, nausea, or a skin rash which can last for several days or months.

One in 150 individuals with the virus infection might need to be hospitalized and severe illness could cause symptoms including high fever, neck stiffness, muscle weakness, coma, paralysis, and in worst cases, death.

The vector control district opined that the late rainfalls alongside warmer temperatures might have caused the increased mosquito activity.

"Our agency will continue monitoring disease activity and treat affected areas. Although the positive mosquitoes were collected in one area at this time, all L.A. County residents should take precautions, like wearing insect repellent and eliminating standing water around the home,” Mary-Joy Coburn, director of community affairs for GLACVCD told NBC Los Angeles.

The GLACVCD urges people to take the following steps to reduce the spread of WNV in their neighborhoods:

• Get rid of stagnated water in rain barrels and clogged rain gutters
• Maintain swimming pools, spas and ponds neatly
• Discard things that hold water such as buckets, tires, etc.
• Use insect repellent when outdoors and wherever there are mosquitoes
• Avoid spending much time outdoors at dusk or dawn when mosquitoes are on the move
• Use window screens properly and ensure doors are fitted properly to keep bugs out