SoCal mosquito season brings disease danger

HAWAIIAN GARDENS, Calif. (KABC) -- Several people have died this year from the West Nile Virus in Southern California. With mosquito season in full swing, local public health experts issued a warning about the serious health concern.

A campaign to spread awareness about the continued risk of mosquito-borne diseases, like West Nile and Zika, launched today in Los Angeles County.

Fourth District Supervisor Janice Hahn said there have been 98 individual cases of the West Nile virus and six confirmed deaths in the area so far.

"Mosquitoes can carry serious and even deadly diseases and every precaution should be taken to protect yourself and your family from bites," Hahn said.

Hahn will go door to door with the L.A. County Department of Public Health educating residents on how to better protect themselves. The first step is to get rid of any standing water and also the containers that held the water.

Officials said educating the public about the dangers of mosquitoes is especially important because peak season for mosquitoes can last well into November, if the weather stays warm.

Kelly Middleton, Community Affairs for the Greater LA County Vector Control District, said the Aedes mosquito family, including the yellow fever and Asian tiger mosquitoes, are very aggressive daytime biters. Their eggs can remain alive inside of containers for years.

If you have a problem with mosquitoes, the Greater L.A. County Vector Control will check your property after filling out a form on their website.