Mosquito Spraying Via Helicopter Planned For Coachella Valley

COACHELLA VALLEY, CA -- Further mosquito pesticide treatments via helicopter are scheduled to take place in the Coachella Valley this week as mosquito-borne viruses continue to be detected at ``unprecedented'' levels in the region, officials said.

Also, truck-mounted mosquito control applications are planned for La Quinta and Mecca this week as a result of more mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile Virus, according to the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District.

The spray applications in Mecca are planned to begin Wednesday and continue on Thursday and Friday. Applications are planned between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., though they could take place anytime between 8 p.m. the night before and 8 a.m.

The application area is in communities along Lincoln Street and within the boundaries of 65th Avenue, Johnson Street, 66th Avenue, and Lincoln Street.

The La Quinta spray applications are scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, within the same hours as the Mecca spray applications.

The application area is within the boundaries of Fred Waring Drive, Jefferson Street, Westward Ho Drive and Washington Street.

While there have been no reported human cases of West Nile Virus in the Coachella Valley this year, 74-year-old Robert Mears of nearby Imperial County was reported to have died of the virus earlier this month. The Vector Control District has also detected St. Louis encephalitis virus in Coachella Valley mosquitoes this year.

Both illnesses are transmitted to humans through bites by infected mosquitoes. Most infected people will have no symptoms, but others can develop fever, headaches, and body aches, district spokesperson Tammy Gordon said earlier this month.

Hospitalization is required in some cases, and in rare cases the diseases can be fatal.

Young children, people over 50 years old and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of experiencing more severe symptoms of both the mosquito-borne illnesses, according to Gordon. Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek medical help.

Residents can check application routes and updated application times at http://www.cvmvcd.org/controla...

City News Service contributed to this report.