August 19, 2008

 

 

DELTA VECTOR CONTROL TO TREAT FARMERSVILLE FOR ADULT MOSQUITOES

- Higher number of adult mosquitoes increase risk for West Nile virus infection-

 

FARMERSVILLE, CALIFORNIA - -The Delta Vector Control District will conduct adult mosquito control by truck due to higher than usual mosquito abundance in the southwest area of Farmersville, including the area immediately around the waste water treatment facility.  Fogging will take place on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 between 4:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., weather permitting.  

 

The treatment will be made with truck-mounted ultra-low-volume equipment using Pyrenone 25-5 applied at a rate of 0.67 ounces per acre.  The area in Farmersville to be treated is within Avenue 276 on the north, Road 164 on the east, Avenue 264 on the south and Road 156 on the west.  A map is available on the District’s Web site.

 

There is no action required by residents as all products used have been registered with the Environmental Protection Agency for the purpose of controlling mosquitoes and protecting public health.  People wishing to be notified about adult mosquito fogging or spraying have several options.  They may visit the District’s Web site at www.deltavcd.com and opt to receive the notifications automatically by email or they can view information on the District Web site.

 

District officials continue to urge property owners to routinely check their yards, to dump mosquito water sources, and to properly maintain their water features.  Abandoned or neglected swimming pools are especially worrisome as they can produce hundreds of thousands of mosquitoes and affect residents up to a five-mile radius.

 

Most people who are bitten by a mosquito with WNV will not get sick; however, up to 20 percent of the population infected with WNV will get West Nile fever.  West Nile fever causes people to experience mild to severe flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, body ache, and possible paralysis.  Less than one percent of infected individuals will require hospitalization. The elderly and those with compromised immune systems are most susceptible to illness and death caused by WNV.

 

DEET is an effective ingredient to look for in insect repellents.  Always follow label instructions carefully.
WNV activity in Tulare County to date:

One human case, Visalia, reported June 20.

45 dead birds confirmed positive with WNV (Visalia 40; Exeter 1; Farmersville 2; Porterville 1; Tulare 1).

19 WNV positive mosquito collections (Visalia 12; Porterville 5; Traver 1; Sultana 1).

One sentinel chicken tested positive for WNV in Visalia.

 

WNV activity in the State of California to date:

78 human cases from 13 counties.

5 equine cases from 4 counties.

1135 dead birds confirmed positive with WNV from 32 counties.

906 mosquito collections confirmed positive with WNV from 23 counties.

63 sentinel chickens have tested positive for WNV from 8 counties.

 

Delta Vector Control District is located at 1737 W. Houston Ave., Visalia.  Call the District to report mosquito problems at (559) 732-8606, (877) 732-8606, or visit their office between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to get FREE mosquito fish for ornamental ponds or horse troughs.

 

Dead birds should be reported to 877-WNV-BIRD (877-968-2473) or www.westnile.ca.gov.  Not all birds will be picked up and tested, but reporting dead birds provides important information for mosquito control efforts.