The Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District will be targeting mosquito larvae with truck-mounted control applications, the district announced Thursday.
The five-hour application process, which will occur between Avenida Maravilla, Tachevah Drive, Santoro Drive and McCallum Way starting at 12 a.m. Saturday, is aimed at the quarter-inch “ankle-biter mosquito,” also known as Aedes aegypti, according to a statement from the department.
An invasive mosquito species, Aedes aegypti was first reported in the area in 2016, officials said. Populations of this species usually peak in September and October.
Although these mosquitoes are capable of transmitting viruses such as chikungunya, yellow fever, dengue and Zika, no transmission of these viruses have been found in the Coachella Valley.
“Reducing the population of Aedes aegypti is the district’s main goal to prevent local transmission of the viruses they can transmit, but we cannot do it alone,” district general manager Jeremy Wittie said in a statement. “Residents play a vital role in reducing the abundance and distribution of this mosquito.”
The district urged residents to take a handful of steps to help control the spread of Aedes aegypti, including eliminating standing water sources where mosquitoes lay eggs. For those planning on traveling to active transmission areas, officials recommended applying repellents with EPA-registered ingredients and wearing long-sleeve shirts, long pants, socks and shoes.
Reported symptoms of the aforementioned viruses include fever, headache, joint pain, muscle aches, seizures, rashes and death, in rare cases. The district asked those experiencing any of those symptoms to avoid mosquito bites and contact a medical provider.