Further Mosquito Spray Applications Planned In Coachella Valley

INDIO, CA — Vector control workers are planning more spray applications in the Coachella Valley beginning Wednesday in response to the detection of "unprecedented" numbers of mosquitoes carrying potentially dangerous viruses.

A total of 178 samples of mosquitoes that tested positive for West Nile virus and St. Louis encephalitis have been detected in the Coachella Valley so far in 2019.

The Coachella Valley Vector Control District has conducted applications of pesticide spray throughout the region several times already this month in the face of the elevated numbers of virus-positive mosquito samples.

"It is, has been, and always will be the district's number one priority to protect public health in the Coachella Valley," said Jeremy Wittie, CVVCD general manager and president of the Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California. "The good news about such a busy mosquito virus season is no one has gotten sick yet."

Despite door-to-door inspections and truck-mounted pesticide applications in Indio, positive virus samples continue to turn up, prompting officials to schedule pesticide applications by helicopter.

Further truck-mounted pesticide applications were also scheduled to be carried out in Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage and Indio.

The aerial applications in Indio are scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. in two areas -- within Long Cove Drive, Golf Center Parkway, Avenue 44 and Jackson Street; and within Avenue 44, Tourmaline Avenue, Dillon Avenue and Jackson Street.

Truck-mounted spray applications are scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. in Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert. The two applications areas are between Country Club Drive, Portola Avenue, San Remo Street and Cholla Lane; and between San Remo Street, Portola Avenue, Monterey Avenue and Magnezia Falls Drive.

The applications in Palm Springs are scheduled for Saturday, Sunday and Monday between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. in two areas -- within Mesquite Avenue, Gene Autry Trail, East Palm Canyon Drive and Cerritos Drive; and within Sunny Dunes Road, Vella Road, just south of Mesquite Avenue and El Placer Road.

Although mosquito control pesticides pose low risks, the district recommends anyone who wants to avoid exposure to the pesticide to stay inside or away from the area being sprayed during the application and for 30 minutes after it.

Anyone seeking additional information during the applications can call 760-541-2057, or 760-342-8287 during regular office hours between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

— By City News Service