FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 2012
WEST NILE VIRUS ACTIVITY INTENSIFIES THROUGHOUT
SACRAMENTO COUNTY
Elk Grove,Calif.— The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District has been monitoring areas throughout Sacramento County where numerous mosquito samples and dead birds have tested positive for West Nile virus. “We continue to see West Nile Virus activity much earlier than we have seen in previous years” said David Brown, District Manager. “The warm temperatures of the last few days have amplified the virus and we continue to be concerned with the increased activity. With the official start of summer we still have the hottest months of the season to go and we will likely continue to see increased virus activity” added Brown.
The District is advising the residents of Sacramento and Yolo Counties to wear a good repellent and make sure that they are not breeding mosquitoes on their property. The weather forecast for the next week indicates conditions that would not be conducive for adult mosquito control applications and the public’s diligence in protecting themselves is critical at this moment.
Recently, the District conducted aerial spraying to combat mosquitoes and West Nile virus over areas of South Sacramento. Results show that the abundance of mosquitoes decreased significantly in the area treated as compared to untreated areas. However, the resident bird population continues to have high infection rates as evidenced by the sustained reporting of dead birds by the public.
Increased activity throughout Sacramento and Yolo counties comes during a time when the entire state is also seeing a rise in West Nile virus. Thus far, a total of 16 counties have registered WNV activity in comparison to only 10 at this time last year. In addition, the first human case of WNV was also announced this week. A woman from Kern County was hospitalized after contracting the disease.
The District will continue to monitor all activity through widespread mosquito trapping and testing as well as ground treatments if necessary. Residents can subscribe to receive email notifications for mosquito treatments by zip code. To sign up, visit www.FIGHTtheBITE.net and go to Spray Notifications. Information for current treatments planned is also available on the District website.
2012 West Nile virus activity update:
Level 2–SacramentoCounty: 124 dead birds, 0 sentinel chickens, 116 mosquito samples have tested positive forWest Nile virus to date.
Level 2–YoloCounty: 4 dead birds, 0 sentinel chicken, 3 mosquito sample have tested positive forWest Nile virus to date
Contact: Luz Maria Rodriguez, Public Information Officer
Office: 916.405.2082 | Cell: 916.416.6337
E-mail: lrodriguez@FIGHTtheBITE.net
