Image via WikipediaBy Randy Economy
Los Cerritos Community News
Staff Reporter
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Cerritos, CA
Two dead birds have been found in Cerritos with the West Nile Virus, according to information released by the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District on Saturday.
These dead infected birds found in Cerritos mark the first reported cases for the new year.
The agency confirmed that two dead American Crows were collected in Cerritos. They did not specify the exact date or the exact location where the dead infected birds were found. So far this year, GLACVCD has reported one West Nile Virus positive mosquito sample (in Granada Hills) in addition to these two dead birds in the 90703 zip code area.
Image via WikipediaStatewide, there have been 23 WNV positive dead birds and 6 WNV positive mosquito samples reported in 2011. This news of the West Nile Virus being confirmed here in Cerritos has some on edge, but county officials want to make sure that the public is educated about the West Nile Virus and to encouraged to report dead birds to the California Department of Public Health.
T
raps to detect the West Nile virus surveillance and control efforts have been spotted in "traps" throughout Cerritos during the past couple of days. One trap is located on a parkway tree in the Granda Park area, and other is locate
Image via Wikipediad in a tree near Cerritos Elementary School.If a resident reports a dead bird, he/she will be contacted by a state employee to determine the condition of the bird and if it is suitable to be picked up for WNV testing. All dead bird reports are used for surveillance purposes and are important even if the bird is not submitted for testing.
If a resident has not been contacted within 24 hours of the report, he/she may dispose of the dead
bird in the trash.
Proper disposal includes the use of gloves, a shovel or a plastic bag to safely place the bird in a trash bag or other waste container. Dead birds should not be frozen. There is no evidence that West Nile virus can be transmitted by the handling of dead birds, but residents should not handle dead birds with their bare hands for sanitary and other health reasons.
If you have any questions, all residents are urged to contact the California Department of Public Health to report a dead bird by calling their toll-free hotline at 877-WNV BIRD or by visiting them online at www.westnile.ca.gov.
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1 comment:
I saw trucks with crews putting up traps over by City Park East. NOW i know what was going on. This really alarms me. I have big dogs, and need to keep an eye out for them....
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