West Nile Cases Prompt Mosquito Eradication Ops

NUEVO (CNS) - Mosquito eradication operations are planned Monday morning in Nuevo, where the presence of West Nile virus was recently confirmed.

The Riverside County Department of Environmental Health will conduct "ultra-low volume" spraying in areas where high concentrations of mosquitoes are a growing risk to humans and animals, officials said.

Spray treatments will be focused around Mystic Field and the Hemet Model Masters Airfield, close to Davis and Marvin roads, on the east side of the unincorporated community.

Department of Environmental Health spokeswoman Dottie Merki said that, in the last week of July, a batch of mosquitoes were netted in the area and tested for West Nile. Lab results came back on Aug. 2, showing WNV.

"It is not unusual for mosquitoes in parts of Riverside County to test positive for the virus, especially during the summer," Merki said. "In 2015, 17 samples out of 713 tested positive."

Anti-mosquito spraying involves the use of chemicals approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Pesticides are emitted as a mist dispersed from machines anchored in the backs of pickup trucks.

Merki said that spraying will take place between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. Monday. She recommended that during the operations, residents stay indoors and keep windows closed until at least 15 minutes after the trucks have left the area.

Anti-mosquito spraying has occurred over the last several months in Coachella, Mecca and Murrieta.

No human West Nile infections have been reported in Riverside County so far this year. However, in 2015, several county residents died from complications related to the virus. Statewide, 10 people have been infected -- one with fatal results -- according to the California Department of Public Health.

An online map showing West Nile hotspots is available here: http://www.rivcoph.org/Home/We...

Mosquitoes typically become carriers of the virus after feeding on an infected bird and can then spread the potentially lethal strain to animals and humans.

Those at greatest risk include seniors and individuals with compromised immune systems.

Symptoms may never materialize, but can include fever, headache, nausea, body aches, skin rashes and swollen lymph nodes.

Mosquito season in Southern California generally spans the months of May to October. To reduce exposure to West Nile virus, residents are urged to:

• spend as little time as possible outdoors at dawn or dusk, when mosquitoes are generally on the move
• wear pants and long-sleeved shirts during outdoor activity
• use insect repellent
• ensure door and window screens are fitted properly to keep bugs out
• get rid of standing water, aside from pools properly treated with chemicals

Anyone with concerns about WNV can contact the Department of Environmental Health at (951) 766-9454.

– By City News Service. Image via Shutterstock.