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West Nile Nirus found in two mosquitoes in Palm Desert

Two mosquitos were found to carry West Nile Virus by Coachella Valley Vector Control. No human cases have been reported.

Tammy Gordon, the public information officer with Coachella Valley Vector Control said, "The first sight was near Portola and Golf Course Way. The second site was near 74 and Mesa View Dr." Both of these sites are located in Palm Desert.

Gordon said, "Mosquitos are most active at dawn and dusk, those are the times you need to be most cautious." She said people should wear long sleeves when they go on walks in the morning and people should wear bug repellent if they can, "Anything with deet of EPA recommended is best."

So far this year, there have been no cases of West Nile Virus in humans for the state of California. If someone was to become infected, the symptoms mimic the flu. Symptoms include feeling achey, having a fever, naseua, and stomach ache. Gordon said, "There are people who are more susceptible to the virus and those are anyone over the age of 50 and immunocompromised systems."

Mosquitoes favor the warmth, humidity, and anywhere with standing water. Gordon said, "Here in the desert, that means most of the sources mosquitoes love to breed in, because they have to have water, are man made sources." Because of coronavirus, many homes remain vacant for longer than normal. With these vacant homes, Gordon said, "There are things like neglected pools. Anytime that stagnant water turns that kind of green or standing still kind of colors, those are things we are concerned about." If you noticed these kind of abandoned areas with standing water, you can call the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District.

More information on the location of these mosquitoes can be found HERE.

News Channel 3's Taban Sharifi will have more and how to keep yourself and your home safe from mosquitos.

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Taban Sharifi

Taban Sharifi is a Meteorologist and Reporter with KESQ News Channel 3, The Desert’s News & Weather Leader. Learn more about Taban here.

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