MURRIETA – Mosquito eradication operations are planned Wednesday in Murrieta, where a large concentration of the pests has raised public health concerns.
According to the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health, crews will be conducting “ultra-low volume” spraying between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. in the Miller Canyon area.
Spray treatments will be focused around Ivy Street, Manista Way and northeast of New Clay Street.
Departmental spokeswoman Dottie Merki said that residents have reported increased mosquito activity this month, prompting concerns about possible exposure to West Nile virus.
Anti-mosquito spraying involves the use of chemicals approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Pesticides are emitted as a mist dispersed from machines anchored in the backs of pickup trucks.
Merki recommended that during the operations, residents stay indoors and keep windows closed until at least 15 minutes after the trucks have left.
Anti-mosquito spraying has occurred over the last several months in Coachella, Eastvale, Hemet, Mecca and San Jacinto. Eradication operations are planned tomorrow in parts of Beaumont, too.
Two human West Nile virus infections have been reported in Riverside County so far this year. Statewide, about 78 WNV infections have been recorded, resulting in two fatalities, according to the California Department of Public Health.
An online map showing West Nile hotspots is available here: http://www.rivcoph.org/Home/WestNileMap.aspx
Mosquitoes typically become carriers of the virus 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.
Symptoms may never materialize, but can include fever, headache, nausea, body aches, skin rashes and swollen lymph nodes.
Mosquito season in Southern California generally spans the months of May to October. To reduce exposure to West Nile virus, residents are urged to spend as little time as possible outdoors at dawn or dusk, when mosquitoes are generally on the move; wear pants and long-sleeved shirts during outdoor activity; use insect repellent; 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 about WNV can contact the Department of Environmental Health at (951) 766-9454.
The post Mosquito eradication ops planned Wednesday in Murrieta appeared first on Valley News.