West Nile Virus Increases Nationwide, Coachella Valley

CREATED Aug. 17, 2012

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  • The United States is experiencing its biggest spike in West Nile Virus cases since 2004. And here in the valley, they have a higher than normal number of West Nile Virus positive samples from mosquitoes. Video by kmir6.com

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The United States is experiencing its biggest spike in West Nile Virus cases since 2004. 
And here in the valley, they have a higher than normal number of West Nile Virus positive samples from mosquitoes.

The Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District comes out at dusk to fight back against the mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus.
"We're receiving an abnormal high number of West Nile positives, it started a little earlier than it typically does in the lower valley and now we're actually starting to pick up some positives in the western end of the valley," said field supervisor Rod Chamberlain with the Mosquito and Vector Control District.
Daisy and her family were walking this evening, and hey worry about the West Nile Virus threat.
"I feel like it's kind of like dangerous," said Daisy.
The federal government counts nearly 700 cases of the West Nile Virus in 32 states this year.
Of those, 26 people have died.
In the Coachella Valley, no reported cases of people hospitalized with West Nile Virus.
But to keep that in control, the district is spraying a fog in Mecca to kill mosquitoes.
"We'll be putting out this line of controlled product and hopefully killing as many adults as are down as we possibly can tonight," said Chamberlain.
In Rancho Mirage, some samples of mosquitoes came back positive with West Nile Virus, so they will use a more targeted approach.
"Applying a pesticide to the bushes and the places the mosquitoes have a tendency to rest," said Chamberlain.
To protect yourself, wear insect repellant, spend less time outside at dusk and dawn and watch for standing water on your property.
"Even a small Pepsi can that's out on the lawn collecting a little bit of sprinkler water can produce hundreds of mosquitoes," said Chamberlain.
And in Mecca, some families are very glad to see the fog Mosquito and Vector Control is spraying.
"I am very happy because they are going to take care of us, to protect my children and to protect the entire Coachella Valley," said Mecca resident, Juana Rodriguez.
There are no medications to treat the West Nile Virus, or vaccines to prevent infection.
People with milder illnesses typically recover on their own, but those more seriously affected may need hospital care.