Mosquito District to Treat For Adult Mosquitoes
West Nile virus (WNv) has been detected in adult mosquitoes prompting the Coachella Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District to fog by trucks due to the immediate risk of disease transmission to people. Fogging will commence on Sunday, October 5, between 6am and 7am, weather permitting, and will continue for three consecutive days. The area affected includes the Mesquite sewer treatment facility on Vella Road and vicinity. At this time there are no test positives for WNv in sentinel chickens or humans within the areas.
"Intensive, larval mosquito control to suppress adult abundance to protect public health is ongoing," said Jim Saulnier, Operations Manager with the Coachella Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District. He added, "We are working with the City and other local officials to reduce the risk of this disease in our community."
A single area near the Palm Springs sewer treatment plant will be treated using truck-mounted ultra-low-volume fogging equipment. Aqua-Reslin, a mosquito adulticide that is registered with the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), will be applied according to label directions by our trained and certified technicians.
This minimizes exposure and risk to people, pets, and the environment. The location of the fogging in Palm Springs includes Vella Road from East Sunny Dunes Road south to the entrance of the sewer treatment plant, Mesquite Avenue from Gene Autry west to El Cielo Road, the Demuth Park entry road and parking areas, and the grounds of the sewer treatment plant. Maps are available on the District’s website at www.cvmvcd.org
In addition, barrier treatment of the waste water treatment facility has been performed, which will provide up to 21 days of control of adult mosquitoes that land on a treated surface. Intensified larval surveillance and related treatment control activities are underway at the sewer plant and surrounding areas to suppress any breeding in the area. After the initial fogging, trapping will be conducted to assess effect and abundance of adult mosquitoes. A decision will then be made whether or not to continue to fog based upon these findings
There is no action required by residents as all products used are registered with the EPA for the purpose of controlling mosquitoes and protecting public health. Residents may visit the District's Web site at www.cvmvcd.org for additional information, or they may phone the District toll-free at (888) 343-9399.
District officials continue to urge property owners to routinely check their yards, to dump mosquito water sources, and to properly maintain their water features. Abandoned or neglected swimming pools are especially worrisome as they can produce hundreds of thousands of mosquitoes and affect residents up to a five-mile radius.
Most people who are bitten by a mosquito with WNv will not get sick; however, up to 20 percent of the population infected with WNv will get West Nile fever. West Nile fever causes people to experience mild to severe flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, body ache and possible paralysis. Less than one percent of infected individuals will require hospitalization. The elderly and those with compromised immune systems are most susceptible to illness and death caused by WNV.
Contact the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District at 760-342-8287 or 1-888-343-9399 to report mosquito problems, request mosquito fish, or to report standing water. Service requests can also be submitted online at www.cvmvcd.org . For more information on
flies, District services and programs, or to book an informational presentation or tour for your
group, please visit our website at
www.cvmvcd.org.