Mosquito traps in Indio, Mecca test positive for West Nile virus; no human cases reported
Mosquito traps in Indio and Mecca have tested positive for West Nile virus, just days after samples showed the virus was detected in Coachella. However, no human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in the valley.
The traps were located near Madison Avenue and Ave 38 in Indio, and Buchanan Street and Avenue 68 and Lincoln Street and Ave 72 in Mecca, according to the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District.
So far this year, four mosquito samples have tested positive for the virus. At this time last year, there were no detections of virus activity, the district said. The first positive sample in 2023 was detected in July in Palm Springs.
West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The virus spreads when a female mosquito bites an infected bird. The mosquito then can become a carrier and transmit the virus to people.
Most people infected with West Nile virus do not feel symptoms, but about one in five develop a fever and other symptoms. About one out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness, according to the CDC.
The Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District said in a press release that staff are posting disease notification signs in communities near the traps and will increase mosquito surveillance and control treatments in the area to reduce the number of mosquitoes and to interrupt further transmission of the virus.
The district encourages local residents to take a number of steps to prevent mosquito bites/mosquitos around their home.
Prevent mosquito bites
Stay inside at dawn and dusk when these mosquitoes are most active
Wear insect repellent. When choosing which repellent to buy, look for EPA registered ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 (as directed on the product label)
Wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants when mosquitoes are most active
Check window and door screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home
Prevent mosquitoes around your home
Check lawn drains for water and debris and clean regularly
Inspect yards for standing water sources. Drain water that collects under potted plants, birdbaths, tires and any other water holding containers
Clean and scrub pet dishes and water features weekly
Make sure swimming pools, ponds and fountains have working pumps and are regularly maintained
Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Mosquito traps in Indio, Mecca test positive for West Nile virus
