No. West Nile virus is active in Los Angeles County this season, and mosquitoes don’t stop at city limits. Your day probably takes you across a few boundaries, too: work, school pickup, a game at the park or dinner with family. Protection should come along.

One district, a lot of lines

• Compton
• North Long Beach
• East Rancho Dominguez
• Enterprise
• Mona Park
• Rosewood
• West Rancho Dominguez
• Willowbrook

Our district covers the City of Compton, North Long Beach and the unincorporated communities of East Rancho Dominguez, Enterprise, Mona Park, Rosewood, West Rancho Dominguez and Willowbrook. Some of that is city land and some is county land. You can cross a few of those lines on the way to the grocery store and never notice.

So when West Nile activity is reported somewhere else in Los Angeles County, it’s worth paying attention. That report covers the region you drive, walk and ride through every day. It won’t tell you what’s happening on a particular block, and it’s no reason to panic. It’s a reason to bring protection along wherever your evening goes.

What travels with you, and what doesn’t

West Nile virus moves between birds and mosquitoes. It does not spread through casual contact; people usually get it from the bite of an infected mosquito. Visiting family across town won’t carry it to them. What matters is mosquito bites in the places you spend time.

Pack repellent like you pack your keys

The mosquitoes that spread West Nile virus are most active from dusk through dawn. That’s the end of practice, the walk from the bus and the second half of a backyard cookout. If you’ll be outside then, use an EPA-registered insect repellent and follow the label. Long sleeves and loose pants help too, and October evenings make them easy to wear.

Keep repellent in the bag that goes everywhere with you: the work bag, the sports bag, the tote you grab on the way out. At home, make sure window and door screens close tight, and walk the yard once a week. Empty and scrub anything holding water, then flip it over or cover it.

Sources: Compton Creek Mosquito Abatement District; U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov/west-nile-virus); U.S. EPA (epa.gov/insect-repellents).