Tiny fish helps fight West Nile uptick

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The Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District got 288 service requests related to clearing out stagnant pools last month, nearly double the 145 in May 2007, officials said.

Agency spokeswoman Truc Dever says, “All of the evidence is pointing to a very active West Nile season.”

Foreclosures are increasing West Nile virus dangers because of stagnant swimming pools behind abandoned homes. The foul pools are breeding grounds for mosquitoes, which can pass West Nile to humans and horses.

But there’s a possible savior in sight: The tiny Gambusia affinis, a tiny fish that devours mosquito larvae, are being put in stagnant pools to help eliminate the threat.

--Francisco Vara-Orta