Mosquito eradication operations continue in Riverside County

Mosquito eradication operations are planned this morning
in Nuevo, where the presence of West Nile virus was recently confirmed.
The Riverside County Department of Environmental Health will conduct
“ultra-low volume” spraying in areas where high concentrations of mosquitoes
are a growing risk to humans and animals, officials said. Spray treatments will
be focused around Mystic Field and the Hemet Model Masters Airfield, close to
Davis and Marvin roads, on the east side of the unincorporated community
located east of Perris.
Department of Environmental Health spokeswoman Dottie Merki said that,
in the last week of July, a batch of mosquitoes were netted in the area and
tested positive for West Nile in lab results that came back on Aug. 2.
“It is not unusual for mosquitoes in parts of Riverside County to test
positive for the virus, especially during the summer,” Merki said. “In 2015,
17 samples out of 713 tested positive.”
Anti-mosquito spraying involves the use of chemicals approved by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Pesticides are emitted as a mist
dispersed from machines anchored in the backs of pickup trucks.
Merki said that spraying will take place between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m.
today. She recommended that during the operations, residents stay indoors and
keep windows closed until at least 15 minutes after the trucks have left the
area.
Anti-mosquito spraying has occurred over the last several months in
Coachella, Mecca and Murrieta.
No human West Nile infections have been reported in Riverside County so
far this year. However, in 2015, several county residents died from
complications related to the virus. Statewide, 10 people have been infected —
one with fatal results — according to the California Department of Public
Health.
An online map showing West Nile hotspots is available at
http://www.rivcoph.org/Home/WestNileMap.aspx.
Mosquitoes typically become carriers of the virus after feeding on an
infected bird and can then spread the potentially lethal strain to animals and
humans. Those at greatest risk include seniors and individuals with compromised
immune systems.
Symptoms may never materialize, but they can also can include fever,
headache, nausea, body aches, skin rashes and swollen lymph nodes.
Mosquito season in Southern California generally spans the months of May
to October. To reduce exposure to West Nile virus, residents are urged to:
— spend as little time as possible outdoors at dawn or dusk, when
mosquitoes are generally on the move;
— wear pants and long-sleeve shirts during outdoor activity;
— use insect repellent;
— ensure door and window screens are fitted properly to keep bugs out; and
— get rid of standing water, aside from pools properly treated with
chemicals.
Anyone with concerns about West Nile Virus can contact the Department of
Environmental Health at (951) 766-9454.