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Housing crisis brings health threat
By Joe Segura, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 06/06/2008 10:27:42 PM PDT
http://origin.presstelegram.com/news/ci_9508908
Eddie Gogue of Long Beach Vector Control sprays an algae-infested pool for mosquito larvae Wednesday. Long Beach health officials are expanding mosquito abatement efforts because of the number of homes abandoned in the housing crisis and cutbacks in pool care.
LONG BEACH - There was nothing inviting about the pool, with its dirty-green tint and gossamer pockets of grime, along with a small tarp and aluminum pole.
The pool behind a home on the 6500 Block of Lemon Avenue had been abandoned, and abandoned pools have become potential mosquito breeding sites, serving as host to the West Nile virus.
There have been 42 cases of "green pools" since January, compared with six during the same period last year, according to Nelson Kerr of the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Service's Bureau of Environmental Health, which manages the city's vector control program.
Kerr said there were 52 "green pool" cases for all of 2007, adding that mark could reach 100 this year.
"We are decidedly more busy with `green pools,' " he added.
Mark Hall, an operations supervisor at the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District, said there has been an increase in calls for service, but said it's not clear if it's related to pool incubation sites.
However, he said, there are more pools that are breeding mosquitoes, due to the lack of maintenance brought on by foreclosure.
"Any source that will hold water - and that's not maintained - will become a breeding source," Hall added.
According to the Long Beach Health Department, the West Nile virus continues to be a public health concern in the city, although virus activity has not been documented yet this season, which began
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in March.
The health department said in April that the West Nile virus was reported in Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside and Kern Counties. However, no human cases have tested positive so far this year.
In 2007, a total of 380 human virus infections, including 20 deaths, were reported statewide.
The City of Long Beach reported no virus activity in 2007.
However, with the onset of warmer weather creating an ideal environment for mosquito breeding, Health Officer Dr. Helene Calvet is urging residents to protect themselves by taking precautions against breeding mosquitoes.
Health officials are advising residents to take the following precautions:
Avoid mosquito-infested areas, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
Mosquitoes often breed in standing water, so eliminate standing water by dumping or draining water in neglected ponds, birdbaths, fountains, buckets, old tires or anything that can hold water.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants if you plan to be outdoors at dawn or dusk.
Use mosquito repellant containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus, and check with your child's pediatrician for appropriate concentrations of DEET to be used on infants under the age of 2.
Keep tight-fitting screens on doors and windows.
Clean and chlorinate swimming pools and drain water from pool covers.
Limit the watering of lawns and outdoor plants to avoid runoff to gutters and sprinkler sites.
Report dead birds and dead tree squirrels to the California Department of Health Services by calling 877-WNV-BIRD (877-968-2473) or online at
www.westnile.ca.gov.
For more details, contact the Health Department's Vector Control Program at 562-570-4132 or visit its Web site at
www.longbeach.gov/health.
joe.segura@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1274
Battling West Nile
Health officials have a potent weapon they want to share with the public in fighting the West Nile virus - a small critter known as the mosquitofish, or Gambusia affinis.
They were first introduced for mosquito control in the state in 1922, replacing insecticides.
They are provided to homeowners throughout the region.
For residents on the east side of Long Beach, call the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District at 562-944-9656; and for residents on the west side of the city, call the Long Beach Health Department at 562-570-4132.
By Joe Segura, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 06/06/2008 10:27:42 PM PDT
http://origin.presstelegram.com/news/ci_9508908
Eddie Gogue of Long Beach Vector Control sprays an algae-infested pool for mosquito larvae Wednesday. Long Beach health officials are expanding mosquito abatement efforts because of the number of homes abandoned in the housing crisis and cutbacks in pool care.
LONG BEACH - There was nothing inviting about the pool, with its dirty-green tint and gossamer pockets of grime, along with a small tarp and aluminum pole.
The pool behind a home on the 6500 Block of Lemon Avenue had been abandoned, and abandoned pools have become potential mosquito breeding sites, serving as host to the West Nile virus.
There have been 42 cases of "green pools" since January, compared with six during the same period last year, according to Nelson Kerr of the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Service's Bureau of Environmental Health, which manages the city's vector control program.
Kerr said there were 52 "green pool" cases for all of 2007, adding that mark could reach 100 this year.
"We are decidedly more busy with `green pools,' " he added.
Mark Hall, an operations supervisor at the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District, said there has been an increase in calls for service, but said it's not clear if it's related to pool incubation sites.
However, he said, there are more pools that are breeding mosquitoes, due to the lack of maintenance brought on by foreclosure.
"Any source that will hold water - and that's not maintained - will become a breeding source," Hall added.
According to the Long Beach Health Department, the West Nile virus continues to be a public health concern in the city, although virus activity has not been documented yet this season, which began
Advertisement
in March.
The health department said in April that the West Nile virus was reported in Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside and Kern Counties. However, no human cases have tested positive so far this year.
In 2007, a total of 380 human virus infections, including 20 deaths, were reported statewide.
The City of Long Beach reported no virus activity in 2007.
However, with the onset of warmer weather creating an ideal environment for mosquito breeding, Health Officer Dr. Helene Calvet is urging residents to protect themselves by taking precautions against breeding mosquitoes.
Health officials are advising residents to take the following precautions:
Avoid mosquito-infested areas, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
Mosquitoes often breed in standing water, so eliminate standing water by dumping or draining water in neglected ponds, birdbaths, fountains, buckets, old tires or anything that can hold water.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants if you plan to be outdoors at dawn or dusk.
Use mosquito repellant containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus, and check with your child's pediatrician for appropriate concentrations of DEET to be used on infants under the age of 2.
Keep tight-fitting screens on doors and windows.
Clean and chlorinate swimming pools and drain water from pool covers.
Limit the watering of lawns and outdoor plants to avoid runoff to gutters and sprinkler sites.
Report dead birds and dead tree squirrels to the California Department of Health Services by calling 877-WNV-BIRD (877-968-2473) or online at
www.westnile.ca.gov.
For more details, contact the Health Department's Vector Control Program at 562-570-4132 or visit its Web site at
www.longbeach.gov/health.
joe.segura@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1274
Battling West Nile
Health officials have a potent weapon they want to share with the public in fighting the West Nile virus - a small critter known as the mosquitofish, or Gambusia affinis.
They were first introduced for mosquito control in the state in 1922, replacing insecticides.
They are provided to homeowners throughout the region.
For residents on the east side of Long Beach, call the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District at 562-944-9656; and for residents on the west side of the city, call the Long Beach Health Department at 562-570-4132.