The Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District reported Friday a sample of mosquitoes from a trap in La Quinta tested positive for Saint Louis encephalitis virus (SLE), making it the first detection of SLE in that city on record.
The trap was located near the corner of Madison Street and Avenue 52. This is also the first virus activity of any kind detected in La Quinta this year.
La Quinta is a resort city in Riverside County, California, United States, specifically in the Coachella Valley between Indian Wells and Indio.
St. Louis Encephalitis is transmitted from birds to man and other mammals by infected mosquitoes (mainly some Culex species). SLE is found throughout the United States, but most often along the Gulf of Mexico, especially Florida.
Most persons infected with SLE have no apparent illness. Initial symptoms of those who become ill include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and tiredness. Severe neuroinvasive disease (often involving encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain) occurs more commonly in older adults. In rare cases, long-term disability or death can result.
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