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Seniors alerted to danger of West Nile virus
By Karen Rubin , Staff Writer
EL MONTE -- Angelo Dilena remembers his trek last year to Big Bear ended with being rushed to the hospital where doctors diagnosed him with West Nile virus.
The 53-year-old La Mirada man had undergone heart bypass surgery a year before he contracted the virus. During an eight-month period, he suffered fevers, debilitating weakness, meningitis and lost 40 pounds.
"If I had to make a choice between coming down with West Nile virus or a bypass, I would choose the bypass,' Dilena said.
The comment stirred the senior citizens filling an auditorium to laugh. But the education campaign warning them of the dangers of West Nile virus i s no laughing matter.
On Wednesday, the county's Department of Health Services came to El Monte to launch a campaign attended by some 80 seniors at the Jack Crippen Senior Center. They explained that West Nile is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes who have fed on an infected animal, typically a bird.
The program targeted seniors who are most at risk if they contract the disease.
During 2004, the San Gabriel Valley was the county's hot spot; this summer will be no different.
El Monte was chosen to launch the campaign because last year the San Gabriel Valley had 114 cases of West Nile virus . El Monte alone reported 14 human cases the highest number of any city in the area.
The message from health experts: Be prepared; this summer West Nile is going to hit the San Gabriel Valley hard.
"The San Gabriel Valley was the epicenter, a major center, last year for West Nile,' said Dr. Alan Kurz, this area's medical director for the county's Department of Health Services. "West Nile is here, and it is something to be aware of.'
In February, an Arcadia man tested positive for the disease, officials said.
Last year's West Nile epidemic killed hundreds of horses, decimated the crow population, killed three people and infected 309 others in Los Angeles County, health reports state.
No drugs treat it; no vaccines prevent it.
So far, tests showed virus-infected mosquito pools were found in Chino, Chino Hills, the Los Angeles Arboretum and Botanic Garden in Arcadia, the Monterey Park city yard and the California Country Club in Whittier. An infected dead bird appeared in Pico Rivera, according to a June 20 county report. This indicates the virus is advancing.
"We feel it will happen and soon,' Kurz said.
As nighttime temperatures climb, more mosquitoes will appear.
At Wednesday's meeting, seniors read education materials printed in several languages. Chinese and Spanish interpreters spoke to those who listened through headphones.
At the end, audience members received cans of DEET-based repellents, to protect them from mosquitoes.
"No sense looking for trouble when you can ward it off,' said attendee Jeanne Doyle, 67, of El Monte. "I had a friend who died last year. I am concerned about all the birds. I want to prevent it.'
Karen Rubin can be reached at (626) 962-8811, Ext. 2109, or by e-mail at karen.rubin@sgvn.com
Source: The Charleston Gazette
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