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Officials warn La Habra Heights residents after detection of dengue-carrying mosquitoes; West Nile activity also noted
Summary
A city-appointed representative told the council that Greater Los Angeles Vector Control detected dengue virus in trapped mosquitoes in October and reported increased West Nile activity; officials urged removing standing water and provided a hotline/website for inspections.
Kathy, the city's representative to the Point Hills Habitat Citizens Technical Advisory Committee, told the La Habra Heights City Council that Greater Los Angeles Vector Control recently found evidence of dengue virus in a trapped mosquito population and that West Nile virus activity rose in October.
Kathy said the dengue-positive mosquito sample was detected in October 2025 in the Sun Valley area and that two human dengue cases had been reported nearby in Sun Valley and North Hollywood. She also reported that West Nile virus detections increased in October with 101 positive mosquito pools that month, and nine human cases and one county death had been reported so far.
"To combat these mosquitoes, residents should eliminate standing water sources like clogged gutters, plant saucers, and uncovered buckets," Kathy said. She reminded residents that the Greater Los Angeles Vector Control District will inspect suspected mosquito-breeding sources at no cost and provided the agency website for information and requests: glammosquito.org (as stated in the staff report).
Kathy also described habitat-authority work that may affect vegetation management and fuel-clearance priorities: the authority is preparing a preserve-wide vegetation map funded by the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy and plans additional fuel-clearance work this winter supported by the Measure PH RMC grant. She encouraged coordination so the habitat authority's mapping and the city's own mapping efforts are not duplicated.
Why it matters
Dengue, Zika and chikungunya are viruses transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes; detection of any dengue-positive mosquito in the region indicates local-vector activity that merits public-health attention. West Nile virus activity in mosquito populations and reported human cases heighten the need for source reduction and public awareness.
What residents should do
- Eliminate standing water around the home (gutters, plant saucers, buckets, clogged drains). - Call Greater Los Angeles Vector Control to request a no-cost inspection for suspected pooling water or mosquito sources. - Follow public-health guidance on personal protection during mosquito season.
The council heard the briefing as part of routine reports; no regulatory action or new funding was requested at the meeting.
