Imperial County mosquitos test positive for West Nile Virus

Imperial County pools have tested positive for West Nile Virus ( WNV ), and Saint Louis Encephalitis ( SLE ), this according to the Imperial County Public Health Department.

The positive mosquito pools were collected in Imperial, Westmorland, and Holtville , but the health department said all residents living in the county need to take precautions.

Last month the public health department confirmed the death of an Imperial County resident due to WNV complications.

“Now that we have these pools it’s evidence we have this virus here in the county,” said Timothy Hodgkin, Vector Control Program supervisor.

“We found these in certain places and maybe they don’t live in those areas so they think they’re safe, but they need to protect themselves, no matter where they live in the county,” said Hodgkin.

The county’s vector control program says they have over 20 mosquito traps throughout the county that are within city limits.

Both Saint Louis Encephalitis and the West Nile Virus can be transmitted to humans through a bite of an infected mosquito.