With summer officially here, Riverside County officials are recommending that residents take precautions to reduce their exposure to mosquitoes that may be carrying West Nile virus.
“While vector control agencies work diligently to control mosquito populations, which includes treating communal areas, mosquito control is a shared responsibility,” according to the Department of Environmental Health.
No mosquito nesting areas in the county have tested positive for WNV, Zika or any other infectious diseases so far this year. However, three dead birds located in the county tested positive for the strain in recent weeks.
With warmer weather now here to stay, the possibility of mosquito concentrations turning up with the pathogen has increased, officials said.
When nesting sites are identified, the Department of Environmental Health generally deploys trucks to conduct anti-mosquito spraying, which involves dispersing pesticides as a mist from machines.
Mosquitoes typically become carriers of West Nile 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.
In 2020, there were 10 confirmed human cases countywide, and three in 2021, according to the Riverside County Emergency Management Department. No cases were documented in 2022.
The California Department of Public Health said no human cases have been identified statewide as of last week.
Symptoms may never materialize, but can include fever, headache, nausea, body aches, skin rashes and swollen lymph nodes.
To reduce exposure to mosquitoes carrying WNV, residents are urged to:
— spend as little time as possible outdoors at dawn or dusk, when mosquitoes are generally on the move;
— wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts during outdoor activity in mosquito-prone areas;
— use insect repellent, including DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus, picaridin or IR3535;
— 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 should contact the Department of Environmental Health at 951-766-9454.