Jackson Bell
The bodies of several birds found recently throughout the city have
tested positive for the potentially deadly West Nile virus,
authorities said Friday.
Burbank Animal Shelter personnel, concerned with the rise in cases
of the virus in the area, submitted the birds to the Los Angeles
County Department of Health Services for testing, Burbank Police Sgt.
Jay Jette said. The police department runs the shelter.
On Thursday, health officials told Burbank Police that birds
collected from ZIP Codes 91501, 91504, 91505 and 91506 were infected
with the virus, Jette said. Those ZIP Codes cover the Rancho, South
San Fernando, Hillside and Northwest districts, along with the
eastern end of Magnolia Park.
"We don't know if [the virus] caused or were contributing factors
to the death of the birds," he said. "We just know that they
possessed the virus."
Jette added that he did not know how many birds tested positive.
Authorities began sending in the bodies for testing shortly after
mosquitoes in Griffith Park tested positive for the virus June 18, he
said.
Greater Los Angeles Vector Control District officials were
unavailable to comment late Friday when police made the announcement,
but a spokeswoman said in a previous article on the virus that about
80% of people bitten by infected mosquitoes -- which is how the virus
is transmitted -- never show symptoms of the virus. There is no
vaccination available for the disease.
Nearly 600 people have died from West Nile disease nationwide
since 1999, officials said, adding that less than 1% of those
infected die from it.
So far, 17 people in Southern California have been diagnosed with
the virus this year.
Elderly people, the very young and people with weak immune systems
are particularly vulnerable to the virus, which attacks the nervous
system. Symptoms include headaches, fever, rashes, body aches and
weakness. More serious cases progress to encephalitis, a swelling of
the brain.
Police and health officials encourage people to wear long-sleeve
shirts and long pants. People should also use mosquito repellent with
the chemical DEET. In addition, people should stay indoors at dawn
and dusk when they are most at risk.
Jette also encourages people to eliminate breeding grounds for the
mosquitoes, including swimming pools and spas, by filtering and
chlorinating regularly. Any stagnant water should be eliminated, and
septic tank covers should be sealed. And ornamental ponds should be
stocked with fish that prey on mosquitoes.
