Mosquito Samples From Machado Lake In Harbor City Test Positive For West Nile

HARBOR CITY (CBSLA.com) — A pond in a city park best known for previously housing an alligator named "Reggie" is suspected of harboring mosquitoes with West Nile virus.

The Daily Breeze reports that testing on samples taken from the Machado Lake area in Harbor Regional Park at the beginning of the year found confirmed cases of the virus.

The Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District (GLACVCD) said the finding marked the first samples to test positive for West Nile this year.

"This is a reminder that West Nile virus continues to be a problem here in Los Angeles County," said Susanne Kluh, Director of Scientific-Technical Services for the District, in the news release. "We can anticipate more activity as the season progresses."

The California West Nile Virus website also reported that there were a total of seven mosquito samples that reportedly tested positive for the virus in California last week from four different counties.

Those counties included Fresno, Los Angeles, San Joaquin, and Tulare.

The virus -- known to kill birds -- may severely sicken people in rare instances. Those with weakened immune systems and the elderly are at the greatest risk for severe cases of West Nile virus, according to the GLACVCD.

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