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The West Valley mosquito and vector control district has detected the presence of St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLE) among mosquitoes collected this week near Comet Avenue and Chino-Corona Road in Chino.
"This is the first time since the creation of the district (in 1983) that LES is detected in our region," said District Director Michelle Brown.
The SLE has also been detected in the Central Valley, as well as in Riverside and Orange counties, she said.
Mosquitoes that carry LES are not the black and white "Aedes" mosquitoes that aggressively bite locals day and night, but the "Culex" native mosquitoes, said Dr. Brown.
SLE is a mosquito-borne virus belonging to the "flavivirus family", which is identical to West Nile virus, said Dr. Brown.
The symptoms are similar to those of West Nile virus: headache, fever, dizziness and nausea.
Prevent mosquito bites and reduce breeding sites are the most effective methods that residents can use to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne diseases, she said.
She recommended wearing a repellent containing DEET, picaridine, lemon eucalyptus oil or IR3535.
It is also recommended that stagnant water be thrown around the house and that door and window screens are not punctured or torn.
Dr. Brown said that four samples of West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes were collected between September 2 and 6, including Butterfield Ranch and Park Crest Roads in Chino Hills and Cucamonga Avenue and Chino-Corona Roads in Chino.
Residents should contact West Valley Mosquito and Vessel Control District if they have stagnant water that they can not remove, if they are bitten by mosquitoes or are more worried.
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