Another crow tests positive for West Nile Virus in L.A.

Another crow tests positive for West Nile Virus in L.A.


www.chinaview.cn 2007-08-04 12:13:14 Print

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- A second dead crow collected from West Covina, Los Angeles tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV), authorities said on Friday.

"It's just the tip of the iceberg," said Steve West, manager of the vector control district. "We're concerned that residents don't fully appreciate the severity of illness this virus can cause -- and not just in the elderly."

This was the second time that a crow tested positive in the area. The first was identified on July 23.

"We rely on the assistance of our residents to report dead birds to the State WNV Hotline," said Kelly Middleton, public information officer for the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District.

In California, 424 birds and 317 mosquito pools have tested positive for the virus this year. According to the state Department of Public Health, 56 people statewide have caught the virus this year, including four who died.

So far this year, seven mosquito pools and seven crows in Los Angeles County have tested positive for the virus. Mosquitoes, found in Granada Hills, a crow found in Tarzana last week and another found in Van Nuys this week all had the virus, according to the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District.

No human cases have been reported in Los Angeles County so far this year.


Editor: Jiang Yuxia