Mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus in east valley

Mosquito samples testing positive for West Nile virus in Indio, La Quinta, Palm Desert and Indian Wells, and now Mecca and North Shore, have brought the total number in the Coachella Valley to 61, which is the highest number of mosquitoes testing positive for the virus than any other year during the same time period since the virus was initially detected in 2003.

Officials said the most recent positive samples were collected in Mecca and North Shore. Traps were located near Hayes Street and Avenue 72 and Buchanan Street and Avenue 68.

The announcement was made by the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District (CVMVCD) on Wednesday afternoon.

Indio has the most positive samples for 2015 with 36. La Quinta has 20, while Palm Desert, Indian Wells, Mecca, the North Shore and the West Shore of the Salton Sea each have one, according to the CVMVCD.

A positive sample was collected in Palm Desert near Hovley Lane and Oasis Club Drive at the end of June, according to the CVMVCD.

A week earlier, samples were collected in Indio from traps located near Avenue 48 and Washington Street, Shields Road and Paseo de Norte, Youngs Lane and Avenue 48, Bunker Lane and Wood Lane, Caleo Bay Drive and Dulce del Mar, and Fred Waring and Eldorado Drive.

There were no positive mosquito samples in the Coachella Valley at this time last year and the highest number of positive samples prior to this year at this time was 34 in 2004, officials said.

“The virus activity we are seeing this year in the urban area is unprecedented,” says Jeremy Wittie, MS, the District’s Scientific Operations Manager. “We are appealing to residents particularly in Indio, La Quinta, and Indian Wells, to be vigilant about getting rid of or changing the water in any sources that could provide mosquitoes with a place to lay their eggs. That means containers, plant saucers, bird baths, nonfunctioning pools, and ensuring irrigation is not running off into the streets and filling up catch basins.”

The CVMVCD reports that catch basins are a perfect, protected habitat for mosquitoes, and irrigation run off increases potential active breeding sites for mosquitoes.

District staff will post additional disease notification signs in affected communities to alert residents and 11,000 disease notification postcards will be mailed to area residents with steps to prevent standing water sources and protection tips.

Staff will also set additional traps, increase larval surveillance to identify sources, and carry out larval and adult control as necessary in an effort to reduce the number of mosquitoes and interrupt further transmission of disease, according to the district’s release.

Health officials said West Nile virus is the leading cause of encephalitis in the United States and is transmitted to animals and humans via the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes get infected when they feed on birds carrying the virus. Most individuals infected with WNV won’t experience any illness. Others will have flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache and body aches.

In severe cases, people will need to be hospitalized, and in rare cases it can be fatal. Young children, the elderly, or individuals with lowered immune systems are at greater risk of experiencing severe symptoms when infected. Anyone with symptoms should contact their health care provider.

How to protect yourself from mosquito bites:

Apply insect repellent. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Lemon eucalyptus oil should not be used on children under three years of age.
Be aware of peak mosquito hours. Dawn and dusk are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities during that time.
Clothing can help reduce mosquito bites. Wear long-sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors to help keep mosquitoes away from skin.
Mosquito-proof your home. Drain standing water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places for mosquitoes to breed by draining/discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty unused flowerpots and wading pools. Change water in birdbaths and pet bowls at least weekly.
Install or repair screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

You can call the CVMVCD at (760) 342-8287 or (888) 343-9399 to report mosquito problems, request mosquitofish, report neglected pools or standing water where mosquitoes breed, and report dead birds.

For all other information, visit www.cvmvcd.org.