Spraying Begins As Dangerous Strain Of Mosquito Found In Riverside County

COACHELLA VALLEY, CA -- A "medium to large infestation'' of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Coachella prompted vector control officials to begin a spraying operation that will continue today, covering more than 160 acres.

The Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District first reported detection of the mosquitoes on May 9. Since then, adult mosquitoes have been found in 32 traps and larvae found in 23 locations throughout an area of the
city bordered by Avenue 54, Frederick Street, Cairo Street and Shady Lane.

The mosquito is capable of transmitting deadly viruses such as dengue, chikungunya, Zika and yellow fever, viruses not currently transmitted in California by mosquitoes, according to the Vector Control District.

Officials had hoped the infestation would be minimal, but inspections of more than 500 Coachella yards led the district to begin a three-day spraying operation, starting at 2:30 Tuesday morning.

"After our initial detection of this mosquito last month, we were hoping it was a small, isolated infestation,'' said Jeremy Wittie, the CVMVCD's general manager. "Unfortunately, our door-to-door inspections have proven otherwise.''

Spraying will also be carried out between 2:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. today and Thursday within the area bordered by Avenue 52, Harrison Street just south of Avenue 53 and Calle Empalme.

Signs have been posted for residents living in those areas, but information on application routes can also be found at http://www.cvmvcd.org/adulticiding.htm . The district will also be inspecting about 120 more yards in Coachella
this week.

"We have a leveled response plan to address each level of infestation, and the next step to contain the spread of the invasive Aedes here is using trucks to carry out ultra-low volume spray applications into yards,'' Wittie said.

To report mosquito issues or activity, contact CVMVCD at (760) 342-8287 or (888) 343-9399.

• Also see: Hantavirus Found Near Beaumont, Health Officials Warn

--City News Service/Image courtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention