A dead crow is found in the Zuma Beach area of Malibu.
By Jonathan Friedman / Assistant Editor
The Los Angeles County West Vector and Vector-Borne Disease Control District have confirmed that a dead American crow collected in a Malibu residential area above Zuma Beach has tested positive for the West Nile virus.
The City of Malibu’s Web site also posted that the cities of Calabasas, Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, Moorpark and Thousand Oaks have also recorded recent positive dead birds for the West Nile virus, indicating that the virus is active within the mosquito population in this area.
West Nile is a seasonal mosquito-borne disease that can cause serious illness or death for humans and animals.
This was the first bird tested positive in 2005 in Malibu for West Nile. There have been 11 reported human West Nile infections in the county as of Tuesday, according to the California Department of Health Services. Statewide, there have been 370 reported human West Nile infections in 24 counties. There have been eight West Nile virus-related fatalities in California, none in Los Angeles County.
West Nile is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then spread West Nile to humans and other animals when they bite. Humans typically develop symptoms from three to 14 days after an infected mosquito bites them. According to the health department, less than 1 percent of individuals infected with West Nile will develop a severe illness. Serious symptoms are more likely to develop with people over the age of 50 and those who have compromised immune systems.
The severe symptoms of West Nile, according to the health department, include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. About 20 percent of people infected with West Nile could display milder symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Approximately 80 percent of those infected will not have any symptoms.
Some species of birds, particularly crows and jays, are susceptible to West Nile and can die from it. Horses are also susceptible to West Nile and, according to the health department, approximately one-third of horses that become ill die or are euthanized. A vaccine is available for horses, however, the effectiveness is rated at 50 percent. Dogs and cats rarely become ill when infected with West Nile.
According to the health department, the best way to avoid becoming sick from West Nile is to prevent mosquito bites. The department recommends that when outdoors, one use insect repellents containing DEET. Also, one should wear long sleeves and pants when outside at dawn and dusk because that is when mosquitoes are most active. Emptying standing water from flowerpots, buckets, barrels and other containers can eliminate Mosquito breeding sites. Also, water in pet dishes and birdbaths should be replaced often.
More information on West Nile can be obtained at the Web site, www.lawestvector.org, or to report dead birds, call 877.WNV.BIRD.