Everyone has a role to play in protecting LW from mosquitos

COUNCIL COMMENTS

Nathan Steele

Seal Beach Councilman

The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District (OC Vector Control) has not found any more West Nile Virus-infected mosquitoes in Leisure World (as of presstime).

This is good news for all of us, but it does not mean that we put our mosquito guard down. To help reduce the risk of mosquito bites, continue to use repellent and wear long sleeves whenever possible, especially in the late afternoon and early evening hours.

The Leisure World flood channel was last cleaned March 16 and is currently in relatively good condition. However, green vegetation continues to be seen, and that is an indication that there is water in the channel. Even small amounts of standing water provide ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes The channel is regularly inspected by OC Vector Control, and any standing water where mosquito larvae are found is treated. The treatment is EPAapproved, is safe around humans and our furry friends, and it kills the larvae before they become biting adult mosquitoes.

We will never eliminate mosquitoes; there are trillions of them in Orange County alone. Our work at OC Vector Control is to reduce the risk of vector-borne diseases like West Nile virus (WNV), dengue and others. Despite these ongoing efforts, there are dozens of cases of WNV reported every year in California and Orange County.

We all have a role to play in reducing mosquito breeding and protecting ourselves from WNV.

By taking a few simple precautions, we can help keep our community healthy and safe.

Editor’s Note: In more recent developments, Orange County staffers recently inspected the Federal Storm Channel (C01S06) that runs through Leisure World and observed standing water, a mild odor, and mosquito activity. The OC Mosquito and Vector Control District was notified and a work order including hand crew cleanup, heavy equipment support with a vacuum truck, and tree trimming/skirting to reduce leaf accumulation within the channel has been submitted.

Orange County is experiencing a highly significant mosquito season. Vector Control has recorded at least 38 mosquito samples testing positive for West Nile virus across 13 cities, including the positive sample found in LW. The positive count more than doubled in just a single week, making it a critical time to take precautions.