Mosquito With West Nile Captured In Cathedral City

For the third time this season, workers with the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District have found a mosquito in the Coachella Valley that tested positive for the West Nile virus.

This time the insect was found in Cathedral City, although no details were available on where in the city it was collected.

According to vector control, West Nile virus is transmitted to humans and animals through an infected mosquito bite.

Not all species of mosquitoes are capable of transmitting the virus and only a small percentage are actually infected with the virus.

Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds, they said.

Most individuals who are infected with West Nile will not experience any illness. Others may have only mild symptoms, such as fever, headache and body aches.

However, young children, the elderly or individuals with lowered immune systems are at greater risk of experiencing more sever symptoms when infected.

Residents of the Coachella Valley can reduce their risk by:

? Avoid outdoor activity at dusk and dawn. ? When outdoors, wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts and other protective clothing. ? Apply insect repellent according to label instructions. ? Make sure that doors and windows have tight fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes. ? Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property that can support mosquito breeding. ? Report swimming pools and ornamental ponds that are not being maintained. Keep ornamental ponds and neglected pools free of excess vegetation. ? Contact the District for free mosquitofish to place in your ornamental pools, neglected pools or any other container with standing water that can potentially breed mosquitoes ? Contact the District if there is a significant mosquito problem where you live or work.

Contact the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District at 760-342-8287 or 1-888-343-9399