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Vector control warns of historically high West Nile activity in La Habra Heights area
Summary
A Greater Los Angeles Vector Control official told the council that July test data show a sharp increase in mosquito-borne virus activity, including multiple West Nile–positive mosquito pools in the La Habra Heights area and an elevated test positivity rate compared with last year.
An agency official from the Greater Los Angeles Vector Control told the La Habra Heights City Council on Aug. 10 that mosquito-borne disease activity across the district is historically high and that staff have detected West Nile virus–positive samples in the La Habra Heights area.
The presenter said mosquito testing in July found just over 12,000 samples with a 9.6% positivity rate, compared with 1.6% the same time last year, and reported 17 West Nile–positive dead birds in July versus 1 the prior year. "Collectively, this activity represents a picture of historically high West Nile virus activity in the Greater Los Angeles vector control service area and is consistent with data reports from Southern California," the official said. They noted continued use of a sterile-insect technique (SIT) and urged residents to report standing water to vector control for inspection.
Council members and residents asked practical questions about SIT releases and detection: the presenter clarified that sterile males look the same as wild mosquitoes and that only females bite. The presenter also announced volunteer training opportunities and directed residents with suspected breeding sites to contact Greater Los Angeles Vector Control for inspection and treatment.
