From the Desert Sun
June 4, 2019
If you’re feeling itchy in the morning, here’s why: Mosquitoes are out in full force.
Thanks to warm temperatures now and previous rainfall creating the perfect breeding environment, the local mosquito population is on the rise. At least, it is among the types of mosquitoes that transmit West Nile virus.
Now, Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District officials are urging people to protect themselves from being bit and getting itchy or, much worse, sick from the virus.
“It can be life-changing,” lab manager Jennifer Henke said. “Everywhere that you are, you should be protecting yourself from being bit by mosquitoes.”
Thirty-seven mosquito samples have tested positive for West Nile virus in the Coachella Valley so far this year, whereas there had been no positive samples by this time last year. Seven positive samples came from Palm Springs, 10 were in Indio, and eight were in Coachella. The rest were from Thermal, Mecca and North Shore.