In many Front Range towns spraying to kill mosquitoes is triggered if the number of the insects in traps hits a critical mass or if a neighboring community catches a West Nile carrier.
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The spraying was scheduled earlier this week after the county Health Department found Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus in a mosquito pool in the Cicero Swamp area, but weather forced the treatment to be pushed back twice. The times have been selected because they are the times most mosquitoes are active.
Last year, the virus was detected much later in the season and in a more northern portion of the county, according to the vector control district. People over 50 years of age and those with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and organ transplants, are at greater risk for serious illness.
About two out of 10 who are bitten by an infected mosquito will experience any illness, according to the release. Fix or replace screens that have tears or other openings.
The primary way people contract the virus is when someone is bitten by an infected mosquito. However, the health department said four out of five people infected with the virus will not show symptoms.
– Install or fix screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes outside. Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property, including flower pots, old vehicle tires, rain gutters and pet bowls.
Both the Eastside and Turlock Mosquito Abatement districts can treat mosquito habitats using ground and aerial spray equipment.
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The detection of West Nile virus in Mountain View has led county officials to schedule fogging operations in affected neighborhoods next week to prevent it from spreading. Properly maintain wading pools and stock ornamental ponds with fish. Birds of particular interest are crows, ravens, magpies, jays and raptors (hawk or eagle).
