Infected mosquito pool found in Imperial County
Mosquito pool found in Imperial County tested positive for St. Louis Encephalitis - a viral disease
IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - The Imperial County Public Health Department (ICPHD) announced a mosquito pool tested positive for Saint Louis Encephalitis (SLE), a viral disease spread through mosquito bites.
The mosquito pool was found near second street in the Bombay Beach area on October 10 where the pool contained tarsal mosquitos that tested positive for SLE.
According to the ICPHD, there has been no confirmed cases of human infection from SLE in Imperial County.
“The tarsal mosquito is most commonly associated with flood water areas. It’s possible the mosquitoes may have bred in residual standing water from the most recent storm in the area,” said Jeff Lamoure, Deputy Director of Environmental Health.
Such symptoms of Saint Louis Encephalitis include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and tiredness.
ICPHD advises Imperial County residents to take precautions such as wearing insect repellent, minimize going outside from dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
Here are some precautions from ICPHD to avoid SLE:
- Limit time outdoors during dawn and early evening.
- When outdoors, wear loose-fitting, light-colored, long-sleeve shirts and pants when mosquitoes are most active (during dusk and dawn).
- Apply insect repellent that contains DEET, Picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to label instructions to prevent mosquito bites.
- Make sure that doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.
- Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property that can support mosquito breeding by:
- Draining or eliminating, old tires, buckets, plastic covers, toys, or any other container where mosquitos can breed.
- Emptying and changing the water in birdbaths, fountains, wading pools, rain barrels, and potted plant trays at least once a week to destroy potential mosquito habitats.
- Draining or filling temporary pools of water with dirt.
- Keeping swimming pool water treated and circulating.
- Contact Vector Control if there is a significant mosquito problem where you live or work.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has a tool to help you find the right repellent products you need here.
If you have a mosquito problem in Imperial County, contact Environmental Health at (442) 265-1888 and click here for more information on the viral disease.
