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Mountain View News Saturday, September 28, 2024


CHANTRY FLAT RECREATION 
AREA REOPENING OCTOBER 2! 

Chantry Flat will reopen its popular recreation area on October 2nd. The 
reopening comes after years of closure following the 2020 Bobcat Fire, 
which impacted our Foothill communities. 

Several volunteer groups have worked together to repair damaged trails and 
clean up debris that damaged the area. Take the time to visit the area and 
enjoy hiking trails while we continue work on own Canyon Park. 

For more information, visit the Angeles Forest Service website. 

Public Health Urges Residents to 
Take Action to Prevent the Spread of 
Mosquito-Borne Diseases

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health 
has confirmed the first death due to West Nile virus 
for the 2024 mosquito season in Los Angeles County. 
The patient, a resident of the San Fernando Valley, was 
hospitalized and died from neurological illness caused 
by severe West Nile virus.

"To the family and friends grieving the loss of a loved 
one due to West Nile virus, we extend our heartfelt 
condolences,” said Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles 
County Health Officer. “This tragic loss highlights the 
serious health risks posed by mosquito-borne diseases, 
such as West Nile virus, dengue, and others. Using 
insect repellent to prevent mosquito bites, eliminating 
items that hold standing water around your home where 
mosquitoes can lay eggs and develop, and using or fixing 
screens on your doors and windows to keep mosquitoes 
out of the home are simple steps everyone can take to 
significantly reduce the risk of mosquito-borne disease 
for both you and your neighbors."

West Nile virus spreads through the bite of an infected 
mosquito. Most mosquitoes do not carry the virus 
therefore, most people bitten by a mosquito are not 
exposed to the virus. Those who do get West Nile virus 
may experience mild symptoms including fever, muscle 
aches, and tiredness. While everyone is at risk for 
West Nile virus, people over 50 and those with health 
problems are at greater risk of serious illness, which 
can include meningitis (brain infection), encephalitis 
(swelling of the brain) and limb paralysis. There is no 
specific treatment for West Nile virus disease and no 
vaccine to prevent infection.

A total of 14 cases have been documented in Los Angeles 
County so far this year (excluding Long Beach and 
Pasadena as cases identified in those cities are reported 
by their local health departments). Peak mosquito 
season lasts from June to November in LA County. West 
Nile virus is the most common mosquito-borne disease 
that affects residents in LA County. Public Health 
reports cases of West Nile virus every year, which means 
the virus is endemic to the region. In collaboration with 
local vector control agencies, Public Health monitors 
cases of West Nile virus infection and actively engages 
residents to provide information about reducing the risk 
of West Nile virus to humans by promoting protective 
measures against mosquitoes.

Resident are encouraged to take the following precautions 
to reduce their risk:

· Wear Mosquito Repellent: Mosquito repellents can 
prevent mosquito bites. EPA-registered repellents 
containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, 2-undecanone, and 
oil of lemon eucalyptus are the longest lasting and most 
effective. They are available as sprays, wipes, and lotions. 
Consider wearing long-sleeved clothes and pants when 
outside.

· Keep mosquitoes out their homes: Make sure that 
doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep 
out mosquitoes. Repair or replace screens with tears or 
holes.

· Prevent mosquito breeding: Eliminate standing water 
where mosquitoes can lay eggs.

o Clear standing water in flowerpots, saucers, birdbaths 
and other outdoor containers. Empty items that hold 
water inside and outside your home once a week. 
Mosquito eggs only need a thimbleful of water to hatch.

o Cover water storage containers such as buckets and 
rain barrels. For containers with no lid, use wire mesh 
with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.

o Clean and maintain swimming pools, spas and drain 
water from pool covers.

o Throw away old items in your patio or yard that can 
hold water, e.g., old car tires and children’s toys.

o Call 2-1-1 or visit call your local vector control to 
report persistent problems to your mosquito control 
district

About West Nile Virus

West Nile virus is a disease caused by the bites of 
infected mosquitoes. The virus survives in nature in 
several types of birds and is transmitted by the bites of 
mosquitoes that feed on infected birds. West Nile virus 
spreads during warm weather months when mosquitoes 
are most active. While not all mosquitoes carry this 
virus, the type of mosquito that spreads this virus is 
found throughout Los Angeles County.

Most people who get West Nile virus don’t have any 
symptoms. About 1 in 5 people who are infected 
develop a fever with other symptoms such as:

· headache

· body aches

· joint pains

· vomiting

· diarrhea

· rash

About 1 in 150 people will have severe symptoms that 
may include high fever, stiff neck, muscle weakness, 
and sometimes rash. Symptoms usually appear 3 to 
14 days after being infected. If symptoms are severe, 
residents are encouraged to call their doctor right away.

For more information, visit: publichealth.lacounty.gov/
acd/vectorwestnile.htm

For questions or to find a nearby clinic or doctor, call 
the Public Health InfoLine at 1-833-540-0473, open 
every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

FIRST WEST NILE VIRUS DEATH OF 2024 
REPORTED IN LA COUNTY


ASSEMBLYMEMBER CHRIS HOLDEN’S BILL 
ENSURING CHILDREN ARE SAFE WHILE 
AT CALIFORNIA SUMMER CAMPS GETS 
SIGNED INTO LAW

Sacramento, CA – This week, Assemblymember Chris Hold-en’s legislation, Assembly Bill 262, 
which will direct the De-partment of Social Services (DSS) to lead a stakeholder group developing 
recommendations through a report to the Legislature on future regulations that will protect children 
while attending day and overnight camps, was signed into law by Governor Newsom.

 

“I am greatly relieved to learn that our state will be creating provisions to better ensure the safety of 
California children attending day and overnight camps,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden. “I have 
worked directly with family members who have suffered the great misfortune of knowing just how 
much can go wrong without proper oversight but we can step in and be the change. This is a proud win 
and one that re-flects the level of care that our children deserve.”

 

AB 262 will direct DSS to report to the Legislature with guid-ance on establishing an appropriate 
licensing program for camps, ensuring camp counselors and staff are appropriate-ly qualified, and 
providing parents and caregivers with ac-cessible and transparent information on camp safety.

 

“When it comes to schools, camps, aftercare programs, and any other institution dedicated to supervising 
our children, we must take safety measures seriously. With this legisla-tion, we are doing just that and I 
am glad our state recogniz-es this as a priority,” said Holden.


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