Local lifeguards are concerned that the L.A. County Department of Beaches and Harbors is not publicizing its warnings that the West Nile virus could be alive and well in Malibu.
By Olivia Damavandi / Special to The Malibu Times
An incident last week involving workers being swarmed by hordes of mosquitoes near the creek and lagoon by Tower 1 at Zuma Beach has led some to believe they could be infected by West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne disease first discovered in the United States in 1999, and has sparked them to raise awareness of its possible existence in Malibu.
The virus, also found in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Canada and Mexico, first appeared in California in 2003 and had spread to all of its 58 counties by 2004, according to California Department of Public Health. Los Angeles County Zuma Beach lifeguard Lorry Haddock works at headquarters near Tower 1 and stressed the importance of spreading awareness of the possible existence of the disease.
“[The possibility that there might be West Nile virus] came into our attention when workers got swarmed by a bunch of mosquitoes that carry it, but there is currently no proof that it’s there,” Haddock said. “We’re in all sorts of meetings with the Coastal Commission and the California Department of Fish and Game, but nobody’s been infected that we know of.”
Haddock added that the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors has posted warning signs in front of the Zuma Beach lagoon, but hasn’t publicized the issue.
“They’ve [the Department of Beaches and Harbors] warned us at headquarters to cover up [with clothing to avoid being stung],” Haddock said. “Why aren’t they telling people about it?”
Carlos Zimmerman, district manager of the L.A. County Department of Beaches and Harbors, said, “It’s a possibility there are a lot of mosquitoes that have it [West Nile virus]. We know there are mosquitoes, but that’s as much as much as we know.”
“They’re all over the place,” Zimmerman said. “Workers have been attacked. I’m not sure if they’ve tested them but they’ve been testing the area.”
Mark Brooks of the Los Angeles County West Vector and Vector-Borne Disease Control District said he knew nothing of the West Nile virus in Malibu or of the incident involving the workers who were swarmed by mosquitoes that possibly carry it. Brooks referred all inquiries to executive Robert Saviskas of the Los Angeles County West Vector and Vector-Borne Disease Control District, who did not return multiple phone calls and voice mails regarding the matter.
The California Department of Public Health announced on Aug. 28 the death of an elderly woman in Orange County from the West Nile virus as the first of this year. Dr. Mark Horton, director of the California Department of Public Health, said on the CDPH Web site, “This unfortunate death reminds us that we must take precautions to protect ourselves and our families from mosquito bites. Californians should use insect repellent and eliminate all sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding.”
The Department of Public Health also states that to this day in 2008, the West Nile virus has been detected in 38 of California’s 58 counties.
“In addition to the death, 96 people have become ill with West Nile virus infections in 13 counties, and West Nile virus has also has been detected in 1,295 dead birds, 1,101 mosquito samples, five horses, 109 sentinel chickens and nine squirrels,” as stated on the department of health’s Web site.
The West Nile virus is spread to humans and animals through mosquito bites. Mosquitoes become infected by feeding on infected birds. The CDPH states that though most people who contract West Nile virus will not experience any sickness, those 50 years of age and older, and those with diabetes or hypertension are at an elevated risk of becoming ill and/or developing severe symptoms. The department of health advises individuals to prevent infection by the West Nile virus and avoid mosquito bites by “applying insect repellent containing DEET, picaradin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, ensuring doors and windows have tight-fitting screens, repairing or replacing screens that have tears or holes, eliminating all sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding, wearing clothing that reduces the risk of skin exposure, and avoiding spending time outside at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.”
More information can be obtained online at www.westnile.ca.gov. Dead birds and dead tree squirrels can be reported by calling 877.WNV.BIRD (877.968.2473).