The Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District detected West Nile virus (WNV) in samples of mosquitoes collected in Cathedral City. This is the first time this year WNV has been detected in Cathedral City. This brings the total number of samples positive for WNV to 182 this year in the Coachella Valley.
Locations of detected mosquitos with WNV:
Near East Waverly Dr and Golf Club Drive
Hillcrest Rd and Palo Verde Drive
District staff will post mosquito control application notification signs in communities and will continue surveillance and inspections for standing water sources where mosquitoes lay eggs. District staff will also carry out larval and adult mosquito control as necessary in an effort to reduce the number of mosquitoes and interrupt further transmission of the virus. Staff has been contacting communities and public gathering places in locations with new virus activity to share WNV information to further the community’s alertness of the activity.
WNV is transmitted to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Most infected people will have no symptoms, but others develop fever, headaches, and body aches; hospitalization is required in some cases, and in rare cases the disease is fatal. Since there is currently no cure for WNV, preventing mosquito bites is the best defense.
Young children, people over 50 years old, and individuals with lowered immune systems are at greater risk of experiencing more severe symptoms when infected. Anyone with symptoms should contact their health care provider.
Prevent mosquito bites:
- Avoid going outside in the hours around dawn and dusk when mosquitoes that can transmit West Nile virus are most active.
- Wear EPA registered ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 to exposed skin and/or clothing (as directed on the product label).
- Wear long sleeve shirts, long pants, socks and shoes when mosquitoes are most active.
- Be sure window and door screens are in good repair to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
Prevent mosquitoes around your home:
- Inspect yards for standing water sources and drain water that may have collected under potted plants, in bird baths, discarded tires, and any other items that could collect water.
- Check your rain gutters and lawn drains to make sure they aren’t holding water and debris.
- Clean and scrub bird baths and pet watering dishes weekly.
- Check and clean any new potted plant containers that you bring home because they may have eggs. Some mosquito eggs can remain viable in dry areas for months.
Please contact the District at (760) 342-8287 to report mosquito problems, request mosquitofish, and report neglected pools or standing water where mosquitoes breed. Dead birds should be reported to the California Department of Public Health at (877) 968-2473 or online at http://westnile.ca.gov/report_wnv.php. Visit us online at www.cvmvcd.org to obtain more information and submit service requests. For the latest statewide statistics for WNV activity, please visit http://westnile.ca.gov.
