Mosquito samples from Rancho Mirage & Palm Desert test positive for West Nile Virus
Samples of mosquitoes from routine collection sites tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV) in two Coachella Valley cities for the first time this year, the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District announced.
This is the 20th sample from the valley to test positive for virus in 2023.
In Palm Desert, the detection came from a trap near Monterey and Magnesia Falls.
In Rancho Mirage, two mosquito traps detected the virus. Those traps are in the areas of Gerald Ford & Inverness and Bob Hope & Palm Crest.
“We have been out in full force every day,” says District General Manager Jeremy Wittie. “But with how much water we saw from Hilary and the summer storm following, it’s not surprising to see more mosquitoes and more virus detections.”
According to the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District, water left by summer storms is ideal for mosquito development. Stagnant water provides breeding rounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes. Officials want to remind residents and visitors that mosquitoes only need a tablespoon of water to lay eggs in that could potentially breed hundreds of mosquitoes.
“There have been 98 human cases of West Nile virus confirmed in California so far this year,” reports Tammy Gordon, Public Information Manager for the District. “None of those human cases have come from Coachella Valley and we want to keep it that way.”
There have been two confirmed human cases of West Nile Virus in Riverside County so far this year.
