CC - Item 1C - West Nile Virus Awareness Week•
PROCLAIMING APRIL 24 THROUGH APRIL 30
AS WEST NILE VIRUS AND MOSQUITO & VECTOR CONTROL
AWARENESS WEEK
WHEREAS, in 2005, West Nile virus killed 18 people in California and sickened over 900
individuals; and
WHEREAS, the State Department of Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control
predict West Nile virus will again pose a grave public health threat in California in 2006; and
WHEREAS, Adequately funded mosquito and vector control, disease surveillance and public
awareness programs are the best way to prevent outbreaks of West Nile virus and other diseases
borne by mosquitoes and other vectors; and
WHEREAS, Educational programs have been developed to include schools, civic groups,
private industry, and government agencies, in order to help the public understand how to protect
themselves from West Nile virus by: staying indoors when mosquitoes are most active at dawn
and dusk; wearing pants, long-sleeved shirts and repellents containing DEET; eliminating
standing water that can support mosquito breeding, and alerting the local vector control district
to significant mosquito infestations.
WHEREAS, "West Nile Virus and Mosquito and Vector Control Awareness Week" will
increase the public's awareness of the threat of West Nile virus and other diseases and the
activities of the mosquito and vector research and control agencies and their professional staff
working to minimize the health threat within California, and will highlight the educational
programs currently available; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that, the Rosemead City Council hereby proclaims
the week of April 24 - April 30, 2006 as West Nile Virus & Mosquito & Vector Control
Awareness Week.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 25"' day of April 2006.
MAYOR
COUNCILMEMBER
MAYOR PRO TEM
COUNCILMEMBER
COUNCILMEMBER
777
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MEDIA ADVISORY
For Immediate Release
P. 02 Ci,
•
DATE: April 20, 2006
Mosquito and West Nile Virus Season Is Back
Spring has sprung and $o has West Nile virus - a debilitating and potentially deadly mosquito
transmitted disease of humans, horses, birds, and other wildlife. As the weather warms and the days
grow longer, human and mosquito activity coincides, escalating the risk of West Nile virus transmission.
West Nile virus is entering its fourth year in Southern California. During 2004 and 200 outbreaks were
documented in several regions of the state. There were more human cases in 2005 (926 human cases)
than in 2004 (830 human cases) but fewer deaths (18 in 2005 compared to 28 in 2004).
The virus has already been identified this year in birds from Orange, Sacramento, San Diego, and Santa
Clara counties. William Reisen, Ph.D., research entomologist with the UC Davis Center for Vector-
borne Diseases, anticipates that West Nile virus will continue its "outbreak mode" for the next few years
as it disperses throughout California. The California Department of Health Services and the Centers for
Disease Control both predict that West Nile virus will again pose a significant public health threat to
California in 2006.
To increase the public's awareness of West Nile virus, the California Assembly designated the week of
April 24 through April 30, 2006 as West Nile Virus and Mosquito and Vector Control Awareness Week.
West Nile virus is here to stay and residents can protect themselves and their family by playing an active
role in mosquito prevention by doing the following:
• Inspect front and backyards. Eliminate standing water in clogged rain gutters, rain barrels,
discarded tires, buckets, watering troughs or anything that holds water for more than a week to
break the mosquito life cycle.
Ensure that swimming pools, spas, and ponds are properly maintained.
• Change the water in pet dishes and replace water in birdbaths weekly.
• Fix leaky faucets and sprinklers that may create puddles.
• Wear long sleeve shirts and pants outdoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
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• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using mosquito repellents
contairnin2 DEET. Picandin. or oil of lcmon eucalypnis
_CCjJ l tlt !lUiii T-11: UY, uUUi~ JtIU W111CIUws to pre,,ent mosquiioes
• A West Nile virus vaccine for horses is available and horse owners should contact a veterinarian
about timely vaccination.
The public is encouraged to report dead birds to help with West Nile virus surveillance and control
efforts, as birds play an important role in maintaining and spreading the virus. The CA Department of
Health Services toll-free hotline is 877-WNV BIRD or visit on-line at: wwwmcsmilt.c_ a aov.
Please contact your local mosquito and vector control district to report a mosquito problem or to request
an inspection at no charge. Mosquito-eating fish are available free of charge from most districts. Please
call your local district before amving to confirm mosquitofish are available.
The following mosquito and vector control districts are available for scheduling interviews and
acquiring video footage.
Local Agencies
Headquarters
Phone Number
Antelope Valle Mosquito and Vector Control District
Lancaster
661 942-2917
Compton Creek Mosquito Abatement District
Compton
310 639-7375
Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District
Santa Fe Springs
562 944-9656
Lon Beach Vector Control Program
Lon Beach
(562)570-4129
Los Angeles Count West Vector Control District
Culver City
310 915-7370
Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control District
Corona
951 340-9792
Orange County Vector Control District
Garden Grove
714 971-2421
San Gabriel Valle Mosquito and Vector Control District
West Covina
626) 814-9466
West Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District
Ontario
(909) 635-0307