West Nile Virus-carrying mosquitoes captured at SGV

Mosquito samples tested positive for West Nile virus near Morgan Park in the city of Baldwin Park, the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District announced Monday.

Because West Nile virus is endemic in the San Gabriel Valley, it is typically detected by local public health agencies in the summer, district officials said. Warm nighttime temperatures contribute to mosquito population growth and disease activity.

The district said it will continue to monitor disease activity and control mosquitoes in public spaces through routine inspections and necessary treatments, but residents should take precautions to protect their health.

“West Nile virus can be transmitted by the native Culex mosquito species, which is most active at dusk and dawn,” Tristan Hallum, the district’s science programs director, said in a statement.

“There is no treatment or vaccine for West Nile virus, so the best protection is to prevent mosquito bites and reduce potential sources of infection.”

The district urges residents to take an active role in reducing the threat of the virus in their communities by taking the following steps to stay healthy and jab-free: