West Nile virus found in Griffith Park mosquitoes

Mosquitoes near Griffith Park in North Los Angeles tested positive today for West Nile virus, county officials said.

The Griffith Park area includes the Los Angeles Zoo. One week ago, officials found a dead bird infected with West Nile in Los Feliz, the third in Los Angeles County this year, said Crystal Brown, a spokeswoman for the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District.

The mosquito sample is the second to test positive this year, but it’s not cause for alarm, Brown said.

“Still do your activities, just keep in mind to take the proper precautions to keep yourself safe,” Brown said.

West Nile is a disease spread mainly by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches and skin rashes. Area residents should wear light-colored long, loose clothing; stay indoors at dawn, sunset and early evening; apply mosquito repellent; and use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors, Brown said. To report dead birds, call the California Department of Health Services’ hotline at 877-WNV-BIRD (968-2473). For more information go to www.glacvcd.org.

-- Nicole Santa Cruz

Comments

[LA Zoo's Beastly Ball- A mosquitoes delight?]

LA ZOO'S "OUTDOOR" BEASTLY BALL: PLACES PATRONS AT RISK FOR CONTRACTING WEST NILE VIRUS

Having second thoughts about attending the LA Zoo's outdoor Beastly Ball fundraiser this month since Griffith Park is filled with mosquitoes infected with the West Nile Virus.

Since there is a health risk as indicated above, maybe the City should cancel the outdoor dinner or insist that GLAZA move it indoors.

The California Dept of Health and a spokeswoman for the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District recommends "...to stay indoors at dawn, sunset and early evening..." to reduce exposure to infected mosquitoes found in the immediate area of the LA Zoo.

The outdoor fundraiser starts at sunset and goes into early evening.