Anti-Mosquito Spraying Set Thursday For Eastvale

EASTVALE, CA — Vector control officials in Eastvale will conduct anti-mosquito spraying Thursday to eradicate growing infestations that pose a potential risk to public health.

The Northwest Mosquito & Vector Control District has scheduled "ultra- low volume" insecticide spraying between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. Thursday within the area bounded by Archibald Avenue to the west, Scholar Way to the east, Riverwalk Park to the north and the Santa Ana River bottom to the south.

According to the district, concentrations of mosquitoes in the area have raised concerns about potential propagation of West Nile virus.

"Our primary focus of control is to target the immature mosquito in the larval stage of its life cycle before it matures into a flying adult," the agency said in a statement.

The district's jurisdiction encompasses Eastvale, Corona, Jurupa Valley, Norco, most of Riverside, Temescal Valley and Woodcrest.

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. Officials recommended that during operations, residents stay indoors and keep windows closed until at least 15 minutes after the trucks have departed.

Two human WNV infections have been documented in Riverside County so far this year. Statewide, 59 infections -- including the two in Riverside County -- have been recorded to date in 2024, according to the California Department of Public Health. Six of those, in Northern California, resulted in fatal outcomes.

In 2023, 21 human WNV infections were documented in Riverside County, none of which resulted in fatalities. No cases were documented in 2022, according to the county Emergency Management Department.

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 May to October. To reduce exposure to mosquitoes with 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;

-- 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.

Additional information is available at http://northwestmvcd.org/.

—City News Service