Mosquito Eradication Operation Planned Thursday in Perris

Parts of west Perris will be fumigated Thursday in an attempt to eradicate mosquito infestations.

The Riverside County Department of Environmental Health will be continuing its “ultra-low volume” spraying in areas where mosquito populations are a growing risk to humans and animals, officials said.

Spray treatments will be concentrated west of Interstate 215, in the area of Ethanac and Goetz roads, as well as Monolith Trail and Pinnacle Street, between the hours of 5:30 a.m. and 7 a.m.

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

Officials 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 operations have also taken place over the last month in Corona, Nuevo, Moreno Valley and Riverside.

Two residents of western Riverside County have died from complications related to West Nile virus since August. Countywide, 54 people have been infected with WNV, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, according to the California Department of Public Health.

In 2014, 14 human WNV cases were recorded by the county Department of Public Health. An online map showing West Nile hot spots is available at http://www.rivcoph.org/Home/WestNileMap.aspx.

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.

Two weeks ago, officials with the Northwest Mosquito & Vector Control District discovered that so-called “Yellow Fever mosquitoes” had migrated to Riverside. There is no prior documented case of Aedes Aegypti, which can transmit dengue fever, settling in the area, vector control officials said. According to the county health officials, there have been two confirmed cases of dengue fever -- but both of those patients had visited locations outside the U.S. and returned with infections.

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

Mosquito season in Southern California generally spans the months of May to October. To reduce exposure to WNV, 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; and
• get rid of standing water, aside from pools properly treated with chemicals.

Anyone with concerns about WNV, mosquitoes, neglected pools or standing water can contact the Vector Control District at (951) 340-9792, or the Department of Environmental Health at (951) 766-9454.

--City News Service, photo via Shutterstock