RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Riverside County residents were urged to be cautious after multiple cases of locally acquired dengue have been reported in Southern California, vector control officials said Tuesday.
Dengue is primarily carried and transmitted by infected Aedes aegypti, a species of mosquito common to the Riverside County area. While seven human cases of the disease have been reported by Los Angeles and San Diego counties this year, none have been reported in Riverside County.
In addition, it is likely that the seven cases involved people who were traveling elsewhere, according to the statement from the Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control District.
“With fall temperatures, we often spend more time outdoors,” said Jeremy Wittie, general manager for the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District. He noted that mosquitoes are more active in the fall and emphasized that wearing repellent is essential to staying healthy.
The district urged residents to take a handful of steps to help control the spread of Aedes aegypti, including eliminating standing water sources where mosquitoes lay eggs. For those planning on traveling to active transmission areas, officials recommended applying repellents with EPA- registered ingredients and wearing long-sleeve shirts, long pants, socks and shoes.
Reported symptoms of dengue include aches and pains (such as eye pain, typically behind the eyes, muscle, joint, or bone pain), nausea, vomiting, and rash, the statement said.
The district urged anyone with these symptoms to avoid mosquito bites and contact a medical provider.
