ROSEVILLE, Calif. July 26, 2012— The Placer Mosquito and Vector Control District reports the highest weekly count of West Nile virus-positive mosquito samples this summer, with 16 additional positive mosquito samples taken from surveillance traps in Sheridan and the agricultural areas west of Roseville this week. This is a solid indicator of increased West Nile virus activity in the western part of the county.
“Although West Nile virus activity in our District has lagged behind our neighbors in Sacramento, we are definitely seeing a spike in samples testing positive,” stated Joel Buettner, General Manager of the Placer Mosquito and Vector Control District. Even though this level of virus activity is not unusual, residents are encouraged to be proactive when it comes to preventing West Nile virus infections. Personal protective measures, such as using insect repellent, are as important as community efforts to identify potential mosquito and West Nile virus sources. “This is the time in the season when we can really use help from our residents, and we certainly appreciate all the reports of dead birds and mosquito sources, such as unmaintained swimming pools,” Buettner adds. Reports from residents help to direct district surveillance efforts and allow the district to target treatment of immature mosquitoes before they are capable of spreading West Nile virus.
For more information, contact the Placer Mosquito and Vector Control District at (888) 768-2343 or www.placermosquito.org.
2012 Placer County West Nile virus activity update: 1 dead bird, 0 sentinel chickens, 21 mosquito samples, and 0 humans have tested positive for West Nile Virus to date