Mosquitoes collected in Long Beach have tested positive for West Nile virus, the first detection of the virus this year in Los Angeles County, the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District announced today.

The mosquito sample that tested positive was found in the 90803 zip code, which encompasses the Belmont Shore, Peninsula and Naples neighborhoods.

“West Nile virus is endemic in Los Angeles County. When temperatures increase, so do mosquito populations and disease risk, which pose a serious public health threat for our communities,” said Susanne Kluh, director of scientific-technical services at the district.

According to the district, West Nile virus activity has been increasing steadily throughout California this year.

West Nile is transmitted to people and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms from contracting the disease can include fever, headache, body aches, nausea or a skin rash, according to the department. The symptoms can last for several days to months.

“Our agency will continue monitoring virus activity and controlling mosquitoes in affected areas,” said Anais Medina Diaz, public information officer for the district. “But it is very important residents take precautions in their own communities by wearing insect repellent and frequently removing standing water to eliminate mosquito sources.”

The district offered tips for mitigating mosquito habitats, including:

eliminating standing water in clogged rain gutters, rain barrels, discarded tires, buckets, watering troughs or anything that holds water for more than a week

ensuring that swimming pools, spas and ponds are properly maintained

changing the water in pet dishes, birdbaths and other small containers weekly

requesting “mosquitofish” from the local vector control district for placement in ornamental ponds

wearing insect repellent when outdoors where mosquitoes may be present

reporting neglected (green) swimming pools to the vector control district

Officials raised an alarm last October after Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, also known as day-biting mosquitoes or “ankle-biters,” spread at an alarming rate in the city. This year, officials have received a “lower than normal number of complaints” on these bugs, amounting to about 20 less reports compared to last year at this time, according to Nelson Kerr, manager of the Bureau of Environmental Health.

“The LB Vector Control Program has trapped and tested thousands of mosquitoes this spring and summer and only a few have been Aedes aegypti,” Kerr said.

More information can be found at www.glacvcd.org.