Dangers of West Nile Virus and dengue fever have caused concern in residents surrounding the San Gabriel Valley area after five positive mosquito samples of West Nile Virus were identified in Pasadena. South Pasadena residents, however, don’t have much to fear due to the low number of mosquito-borne diseases reported here, officials said.
Anais Diaz, the director of communications for the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District, told the Review that the city currently has only one positive mosquito sample of West Nile Virus that was first detected in July.
“Aedes mosquitoes, which can transmit diseases like dengue, chikungunya, zika, and yellow fever, have a very short flight range of 150 yards, which also helps decrease the risk of dengue [and other viruses] to other areas in the region. This fact also helps determine where we increase our disease and mosquito surveillance.”
Last year, the city had 11 mosquito samples that tested positive for West Nile Virus, according to the Vector Control District website.
Surrounding cities such as La Cañada Flintridge and San Marino also had a low number of West Nile Virus positive cases to date this year. La Cañada Flintridge has two and San Marino currently has none.
Only 20% of people will develop symptoms from the West Nile Virus if they are infected, and those who have greater risk are people older than 50 or with weakened immune systems. There is currently no vaccine or treatment for the virus.
There are two common mosquitoes in California: the Culez mosquito — the main mosquito that transmits the West Nile Virus — and the invasive Aedes mosquito, commonly known as the “ankle biter.”
As of Oct. 20, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has documented 56 human cases of West Nile Virus. Of the 56, 50 were symptomatic infections and one was fatal.
Diaz said that “residents should always practice mosquito control to prevent any mosquito-transmitted diseases.”
She said that Vector Control staff always recommends that residents “tip, toss and protect.”
Any standing water needs to be poured out, since mosquitoes only need one teaspoon of water to start breeding. Tossing any unused, open containers that collect rainwater can also help the cause. Residents should protect themselves with an insect repellant that contains DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus and IR 3535.
The Vector Control website also educates communities on how to detect mosquitoes, noting that crane flies and midges are not mosquitoes.
“If it’s bigger than a quarter, it’s not a mosquito,” the website states.
As far as community outreach to South Pasadena, Vector Control gave a presentation to the City Council in June, had two enhanced neighborhood supported events and attended the 626 Golden Streets event.
“Our enhanced neighborhood support consists of being out in the community and providing door hangers door-to-door, each time covering about 100 different homes,” Diaz said. “We determine the areas by looking at our mosquito surveillance data and take into consideration disease activity and female mosquito abundance.”
Additionally, the Vector Control provides a program for residents who want more information, resources and presentations tailored to their specific neighborhood.
“We have over 10 residents from the city of South Pasadena signed up and we have supported those residents through different activities since the start of the program in 2021,” she said.
The district also provides the city and partners with social medial kits and brochures to hand out or advertise whenever they can’t be present in the community.
For those interested in the community program, visit sgvmosquito.org/bite-back-program.
To learn more about West Nile Virus and more, residents can visit sgvmosquito.org/resources.
First published in the October 27 print issue of the South Pasadena Review.
