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Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council
West Nile Virus / Monkeypox / Covid Immunizations
Posted on 08/29/22
For Immediate Release
August 25, 2022
First Human Cases of West Nile Virus Reported in Los Angeles County for 2022
All residents should take precautions against mosquitoes
LOS ANGELES-- The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) has confirmed the first cases of human West Nile virus (WNV) infection in Los Angeles County for the 2022 season (excluding Long Beach and Pasadena as cases identified in those cities are reported by their local health departments). A total of six cases have been identified, most of whom were hospitalized for their illness in late July and early August. The cases reside in the Antelope Valley, San Fernando Valley, and San Gabriel Valley and all are recovering.
“Mosquitos thrive in hot weather and residents should follow simple steps to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquito-borne diseases, such as West Nile virus,” said Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Health Officer. “Simple measures can reduce mosquitos and mosquito bites, like protecting yourself and your family with insect repellent and removing standing water outside your home. West Nile virus can lead to hospitalization or death, and, by taking preventative steps now, residents can better protect themselves against infection and the serious neuro-invasive disease caused by this virus.”
West Nile virus (WNV) is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms may include fever, headache, nausea, body aches, and a mild skin rash. WNV can affect the brain and spinal cord and result in meningitis, encephalitis, paralysis and even death.
There is no vaccine for WNV and no treatment to cure the illness once an individual becomes sick.
Adults over the age of 50 years and those with chronic health problems are at higher risk of severe illness if infected. While not all mosquitoes carry this virus, the type of mosquito that spreads this virus is found throughout Los Angeles County.
Public Health recommends the following actions to reduce the risk of West Nile virus infection:
- Avoid mosquito-infested areas at dawn and dusk.
- Use insect repellant. Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)registered repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Find the right insect repellent for you by using EPA’s search tool.
- Cover up. Consider wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when you are outdoors, particularly at dawn and dusk in areas where more mosquitoes are present.
- Take steps to control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors.
- Use screens on windows and doors. Check for and repair holes in screens to keep mosquitoes outdoors.
- Stop mosquitoes from laying eggs in or near water. Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out items that hold water, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pet bowls, flowerpot saucers, rain barrels, or other containers. These are breeding grounds for mosquitos where they lay their eggs.
- Empty and wash birdbaths and wading pools weekly.
- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools; drain water from pool covers.
- Stock garden ponds with mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis), goldfish, Koi or other mosquito-eating fish. These feed on mosquito eggs and larvae.
Public Health continues to document human cases of WNV every year in LA County, at an average of 91 cases per year during the last 5 years. However, the total number of people infected with WNV each year in LA County is much higher as most infected persons do not experience any illness or only mild illness. These cases are neither reported nor recognized as WNV. About three-quarters of reported cases have had severe disease and approximately 9% of patients with severe WNV die from complications. Public Health collaborates with local vector control agencies to target areas for mosquito control activities as well as educate people about how to protect themselves.
Reduction of mosquito breeding sources and protection from mosquito bites are the best ways to prevent WNV infection.
“This is a reminder that West Nile Virus is active in Los Angeles County every year and mosquito control is a shared responsibility,” says Leann Verdick, District Manager of the Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District. “While our technicians check and treat mosquito breeding in public water sources, residents are urged to eliminate standing water on their property and use EPA-registered repellents when mosquitoes are active.”
For more information on West Nile virus, visit publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/westnile. To find a local vector control district, visit http://www.socalmosquito.org.
Stagnant swimming pools or “green pools” should be reported to the Public Health Environmental Health Bureau at (626) 430-5200, or to a local vector control agency. Dead birds may be reported by calling (877) 968-2473 or online: https://westnile.ca.gov/report.php
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ANYONE CAN GET MONKEYPOX
Dear LA County Sector Partners,
Please refer to the Anyone Can Get Monkeypox document (translations pending) for the best information on how monkeypox is spread. Monkeypox is a contagious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. Anyone who has been in close, personal contact with someone who has monkeypox is at risk.
PDF Flyer: Anyone_Can_Get_Monkeypox.pdf
Please see other pertinent information and resources can be found on the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health website at http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/monkeypox/
Thank you for your ongoing efforts to protect the health and well-being of Los Angeles County residents.
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
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For Immediate Release
August 26, 2022
Public Health Monkeypox Vaccination PODs Now Accepting Walk Ups
Effective today, eligible residents can walk up to receive the monkeypox vaccine at Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) monkeypox vaccination points of dispensing (PODs). Vaccine doses will be provided, while supplies last, to any eligible residents who provide an identification (ID) and attest to their eligibility.
Because doses are limited, residents who wish to ensure they receive the vaccine can book an appointment at clinical provider sites by visiting MyTurn.ca.gov.
The following high-risk groups are eligible for Monkeypox vaccine:
- Gay or bisexual men and transgender people who had:
- Multiple or anonymous sex partners in the last 14 days OR
- Skin-to-skin or intimate contact (e.g., kissing, hugging) with persons at large venues or events in the past 14 days.
- Persons of any gender or sexual orientation who engaged in commercial and/or transactional sex in the past 14 days (e.g., sex in exchange for money, shelter, food, and other goods or needs)
Note: If you are immunocompromised (including if you have advanced or uncontrolled HIV), you may be at high risk for severe disease and will be prioritized for vaccination.
Residents who met the prior eligibility criteria are still eligible for vaccination (i.e., you are a gay or bisexual man or a transgender person and you had gonorrhea or early syphilis in the past 12 months; or you are on HIV PrEP; or you had anonymous sex or sex with multiple partners within the past 21 days in a commercial sex venue or other venue).
Residents receiving their first dose will need to bring an ID. Residents receiving their second dose will need to also bring their vaccination record.
Currently, a consent form is required for all minors aged 6 months through 17 at each visit. Youth 16 and 17 years of age should be accompanied by their parent. or legal guardian if possible. If this is not possible, they must bring a consent form signed by their parent or legal guardian. Children ages 6 months through 15 years must be accompanied by their parent, legal guardian, or a responsible adult. If the child is accompanied by a responsible adult, the consent form must name the responsible person and be signed by the parent or legal guardian.
For more information, please visit: ph.lacounty.gov/monkeypox.
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August 26, 2022
As Residents Continue to be Infected with COVID-19,
Treatments to Prevent Serious Illness are Readily Available
at 1,000 Clinics, Pharmacies, and Other Sites
3,694 New Positive Cases and 20 New Deaths Due to COVID-19 in Los Angeles County
As thousands of individuals in Los Angeles County continue to be infected with COVID-19, medical treatments are readily available to prevent patients who have one or more risk factors from becoming very sick, hospitalized, or dying from the infection. Residents who do become infected should contact their health provider as soon as possible because the treatments work best when symptoms are still mild or moderate. Click here for more.
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For Immediate Release:
August 25, 2022
Ocean Water Use Warning for Los Angeles County Beaches
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
- Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica
- Mother’s Beach in Marina Del Rey
- Avalon Beach at Catalina, 50 feet east of the pier
These warnings have been issued due to bacterial levels exceeding health standards when last tested.
Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24- hours a day on the County's beach closure hotline: 1-800- 525-5662. To view map of impacted locations and for more information please visit: PublicHealth.LACounty.gov/Beach/.
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August is National Immunization Awareness Month
Is your child up to date on their routine vaccines? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the national vaccination coverage among kindergarten children during the 2020-2021 school year dropped by about 1% from the previous year— that amounts to 35,000 more children without vaccination documents.
Help us protect children by doing what you can to get kids caught up on recommended vaccines. With most schools now back to in-person learning, efforts must be made to ensure that all school-aged children are up to date on their routine vaccines, have received recommended COVID-19 vaccines, and routine vaccination coverage is equitably distributed.
Talk to your child’s pediatrician to make sure they’re up to date on their regular vaccine schedule. COVID-19 vaccines for children are widely available at Public Health vaccination pods in LA County. Find a location at ph.lacounty.gov/vaccinepods.
For Everything COVID, Click Here
For Everything Monkey Pox, Click
