July 31, 2010

FREE REPELLENT AVAILABLE FOR NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

–Personal Protection is Key in Preventing Mosquitoes and West Nile Virus

Elk Grove, Calif.— The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District is giving away boxes of mosquito repellent towelettes, while supplies last, to communities engaging in outdoor activities in honor of National Night Out next Tuesday, August 3^rd. The event focuses on crime and drug prevention and many neighborhoods come together for outdoor social gatherings during times of peak mosquito activity. “We know many people will be outside for this event and we want to remind the public that personal protection against mosquitoes continues to be key in the prevention of West Nile virus” said David Brown, District Manager. “We encourage the public to take advantage of the free repellent we are offering”. The repellent, Deep Woods OFF, with the active ingredient DEET, comes in small boxes and is available for pick up from the two District offices in Elk Grove and Woodland.

In recent weeks, many infected birds and mosquito samples have been found in various areas of both Sacramento and Yolo counties. The District urges the public to protect themselves from mosquito bites when they are outdoors. “Repellent comes in a variety of forms: lotions, sprays, towelettes and powders. The most important thing is to apply it to ensure you and your family are not bitten” said Brown. Repellent should be applied based on duration and type of activity.  Sweat will make the repellent wear off faster, and people engaging in physical activity will likely need to apply repellent more often.  Residents should always follow the directions on the repellent’s label.  Brown reminds everyone to think about repellent as often as they might think about sunscreen when outdoors during the summer.

For anyone interested in getting the free repellent, please email lrodriguez@FIGHTtheBITE.net to schedule a pick up time during normal business hours Monday-Friday, 7:00a.m. to 3:30p.m.

Contact: Luz Maria Rodriguez, Public Information Officer

Office: 916.405.2082 | Cell: 916.416.6337

E-mail: lrodriguez@FIGHTtheBITE.net

2010 West Nile virus activity update:

Level  2–Sacramento County: 56 dead birds, 0 sentinel chickens, 124 mosquito samples have tested positive for West Nile virus to date.

Level 2–Yolo County: 4 dead birds, 0 sentinel chicken, 1 mosquito sample have tested positive for West Nile virus to date

This National Night Out Practice the District D’s of Mosquito Prevention:

DRAIN standing water that may produce mosquitoes.

DAWN and DUSK are times to avoid being outdoors.

DRESS appropriately be wearing long sleeves and pants when outside.

DEFEND yourself by using an effective insect repellent.  Make sure to follow label directions!

DOOR and window screens should be in good working condition.

DISTRICT personnel are also available to address any mosquito problems. Call them at 1-800-429-1022 or visit www.FIGHTtheBITE.net

July 26, 2010

PLANS FOR AERIAL SPRAYING TO CONTROL MOSQUITOES ANNOUNCED

–Aerial Treatment in North Sacramento County and a Small Portion of Placer County will begin Tuesday

Elk Grove, Calif.— The Sacramento-Yolo and Placer Mosquito Control Districts announced today that aerial spraying  to control mosquitoes that may carry the potentially fatal West Nile virus is scheduled for areas of North Sacramento county and a small portion of Placer County. If weather permits, aerial spraying utilizing two planes will be conducted over three consecutive nights beginning Tuesday, July 27^th between 8:00 pm and midnight. “We’re very concerned about the high number of infected mosquito samples and dead birds found in this area” said David Brown District Manager. “The number of mosquitoes and virus infection rates continue to be high and we need to take immediate action to reduce risk of human infections” said Brown.  With National Night Out scheduled for next week, many will be engaging in outdoor activities and aerial spraying is deemed necessary in order to protect public health and decrease the risk of West Nile virus.  In the last couple of weeks, WNV activity has intensified throughout the state and currently there are four confirmed human cases, three of them from Stanislaus County and the other from Kern County.

A small portion of the area to be treated is in Placer County and both Districts are coordinating efforts to address the West Nile virus hot spots that lie on both sides of the Sacramento-Placer border. “This is a great opportunity for our Districts to coordinate and share resources,” said Joel Buettner, General Manager of the Placer Mosquito and Vector Control District “We want to ensure that all residents are protected, since neither mosquitoes nor West Nile virus recognize county borders.” said Buettner.

The area that will be treated is approximately 35,000 acres (see the attached maps for exact areas in both counties). The material that will be used is Evergreen 60-6, the same pyrethrin based product used in previous treatments. This material is registered for use in mosquito control by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Sacramento County treatment area:

View Aerial Treatment page with dynamic map for Sacramento County

Placer County treatment area:

Recently, aerial spraying to combat mosquitoes and West Nile virus was conducted over South Sacramento. Preliminary results show that general abundance of mosquitoes decreased significantly in the area sprayed as compared to the number of mosquitoes seen in the same area the week before and in comparison to untreated areas.

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.

Placer County residents can visit the Placer Mosquito and Vector Control District website at www.placermosquito.org for updated Spray Notifications and additional information.

Contacts:

Luz Maria Rodríguez, Sacramento-Yolo MVCD, 916.416.6337

Ada Barros, Placer MVCD, 916.343.0009

2010 West Nile virus activity update:

Level  2–Sacramento County: 52 dead birds, 0 sentinel chickens, 113 mosquito samples have tested positive for West Nile virus to date.

Level 2–Yolo County: 4 dead birds, 0 sentinel chicken, 2 mosquito samples have tested positive for West Nile virus to date

Level 2–Placer County: 1 dead bird, O sentinel chickens, 3 mosquito samples have tested positive for West Nile Virus to date

July 23, 2010

WEST NILE VIRUS ACTIVITY GROWS IN NORTH SACRAMENTO

–Aerial spraying is being considered

Elk Grove, Calif.— The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District has been monitoring areas of North Sacramento county where many mosquito samples and dead birds have tested positive for West Nile virus. “We are keeping a close eye on this area because over the past week virus activity has intensified” said David Brown, District Manager. “If infection rates continue to be high, we will consider doing aerial spraying in order to interrupt the virus transmission cycle and ensure public health” said Brown.

The District will continue to do mosquito trapping and testing to determine if aerial spraying will be necessary. In the meantime, cooperation from the public is needed ”If you’re going to be outside when mosquitoes are active, please don’t take any chances and protect yourself by wearing mosquito repellent, this will go a long way in preventing mosquito bites,” said Brown.

The area being evaluated is approximately 45,000 acres of North Sacramento from the Sacramento/Placer county line on the north, to Fair Oaks Blvd and Grand Ave on the South and from the railroad tracks near the east levee drainage canal on the west to Sunrise Blvd on the east (see the attached map). If aerial spraying is necessary, the product that will be used is Evergreen 60-6, an insecticide approved for use in mosquito control by the Environmental Protection Agency and the same material used in previous treatments.

Click map for larger view

View dynamic map here

Recently, the District conducted aerial spraying to combat mosquitoes and West Nile virus over South Sacramento. Preliminary results show that general abundance of mosquitoes decreased significantly in the area sprayed as compared to the number of mosquitoes seen the week before and in comparison to untreated areas.

The District will continue to monitor activity in the area through widespread mosquito trapping and testing. If a decision is made to proceed with aerial treatments, media will be notified immediately so information can be disseminated to the public. 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.

Contact: Luz Maria Rodriguez, Public Information Officer

Office: 916.405.2082 | Cell: 916.416.6337

E-mail: lrodriguez@FIGHTtheBITE.net

2010 West Nile virus activity update:

Level  2–Sacramento County: 44 dead birds, 0 sentinel chickens, 87 mosquito samples have tested positive for West Nile virus to date.

Level 2–Yolo County: 4 dead birds, 0 sentinel chicken, 1 mosquito sample have tested positive for West Nile virus to date

Practice the District D’s of Mosquito Prevention:

DRAIN standing water that may produce mosquitoes.

DAWN and DUSK are times to avoid being outdoors.

DRESS appropriately be wearing long sleeves and pants when outside.

DEFEND yourself by using an effective insect repellent.  Make sure to follow label directions!

DOOR and window screens should be in good working condition.

DISTRICT personnel are also available to address any mosquito problems. Call them at 1-800-429-1022 or visit www.FIGHTtheBITE.net