Los Angeles County has documented over 180 cases of West Nile virus this year, marking the highest number in nearly a decade, according to the county public health department. This surge comes amid what locals have described as a "living hell" due to a significant increase in mosquito activity.
A combination of heatwaves and an "extra-powerful El Niño" has made 2026 one of the worst mosquito years in recent history. The region experienced an exceptionally mild winter with heatwaves in February and March, allowing mosquitoes to remain active, while an unusually moist and humid summer facilitated their reproduction.
The Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito, common to the region, can spread West Nile virus to humans after biting infected birds. Additionally, the invasive Aedes mosquito, which first appeared in 2014 and targets humans, is a known carrier of diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever.
Local authorities are employing various methods to combat the mosquito problem, including spraying adulticide and sterilising male mosquitoes with X-rays for release in targeted areas. However, challenges remain, such as property owners' reluctance to allow vector control districts onto their land to eliminate stagnant water, a key breeding ground for mosquitoes.