West Nile Virus Activity Increases in Sacramento County as More Dead Birds and Mosquito Samples Test Positive

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 4, 2012

WEST NILE VIRUS ACTIVITY INCREASES IN SACRAMENTO COUNTY AS MORE

DEAD BIRDS AND MOSQUITO SAMPLES TEST POSITIVE

Wet weather will increase stagnant water and mosquito sources

Elk Grove, Calif.— The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito &Vector Control District announced

today that further evidence of West Nilevirus activity has been detected throughout

Sacramento County as  32 new mosquito samples and 4 birds  have tested

positive for the disease. The birds and mosquito samples have been collected from

different areas in SacramentoCounty but especially focused in communities near Gerber

and Calvine Rd.  “We’re very concerned about the level of intense activity we’re seeing

this season” said David Brown, District Manager. “While it’s not uncommon to find

widespread areas with dead birds and mosquito samples in August, finding virus activity

in June is certainly earlier than anything we’ve seen in recent years and we urge

residents to take these early indications seriously” he added. West Nile virus activity was

also detected last week in the city of Davis in Yolo County as dead birds and mosquito

samples also tested positive.

The increased activity comes as the region is getting a late rain storm which will create

even more aquatic sites capable of producing mosquitoes. “The excess water will

increase mosquito habitats. Now more than ever we need everyone to do their part and

drain mosquito breeding sources in their back yard” said Brown. “As the warming trend

continues for the remainder of the week, the virus will likely amplify and the risk of human

transmission will increase” said Brown.

In response to the recent findings, the District has started ground fogging around areas

where positive mosquitoes and birds have been found.

For current information about any treatments planned, please visit

www.FIGHTtheBITE.net. Residents may also subscribe to receive email notifications for

mosquito treatments by zip code.  To sign up go to Spray Notifications on the website.

2012 West Nilevirus activity update:

Level  2–Sacramento County: 23 dead birds and  42 mosquito samples have tested

positive for West Nile virus to date.

Level 2–Yolo County:  2 dead birds and 2 mosquito samples has tested positive for

West Nile virus to date

Contact:  Luz Maria Rodriguez, Public Information Officer

Office:  916.405.2082 | Cell:  916.416.6337

E-mail:  ten.ETIBehtTHGIFnull@zeugirdorl