Community Corner
West Nile Virus Found in Palos Verdes
Three dead crows in Rolling Hills Estates and one in Rancho Palos Verdes test positive for West Nile Virus.
More than a half-dozen dead crows on and around the Palos Verdes Peninsula tested positive for West Nile virus this week, the cities of Rancho Palos Verdes and Rolling Hills Estates announced Thursday.
Three American crows in the Dapplegray Lanes area of Rolling Hills Estates, one in Rancho Palos Verdes and five in Lomita tested positive for the virus, which is spread by mosquitos. The mosquitos bite an infected crow, then transfer the virus as they bite again.
There has only been one complaint about mosquitos in Lomita since Jan. 1 of this year.
"(This) makes us believe that the high dead bird die-off is associated with one or two infected American crow flocks that are routinely traveling many miles to-and-from these and other cities to scavenger each day," according to the West Vector Control District. "Additionally, the singular complaint about mosquitos is more than 5 miles away from the Lomita sites (where dead crows were found) and 3 miles away from the Rolling Hills Estates sites."
Nevertheless, the West Vector Control District will conduct a house-to-house survey of areas of Lomita and Rolling Hills Estates over the next couple of weeks to make sure there aren't any other mosquito swarms.
Residents who come across dead birds should call 877-WNV-BIRD (877-968-2473). Dead birds must be less than 24 hours old to be tested for West Nile virus.
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