News
| March 13, 2006 Wet Weather Resurfaces West Nile Concern
"The best I can tell you is don't be complacent. I think we're beginning to see a little bit of 'ho-hum' about this problem," said Blegen. Recent heavy rains and warmer-than-usual weather have created ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes in Solano County and nearby regional wetlands. Although the threat level of West Nile virus — usually carried by Culex mosquitoes — is still an unknown factor this year, Blegen is recommending that county residents keep an eye out for standing water and backyard breeding places. A discarded jar, forgotten bucket, children's abandoned wading pools, roof gutters, wheel barrows and lawn ornaments can all provide ideal mosquito breeding places once they fill with rain water.
Even a persistent puddle beneath a dripping outdoor faucet can turn into a trouble spot once mosquitoes begin breeding. According to the University of California, Davis, the female Culex mosquito lives only about three weeks, but in that time she can lay approximately 250 eggs. The egg stage lasts one to two days, the larva stage roughly seven to 10 summer days and the pupal stage two to three summer days. With that kind of reproductive rate, a few of the little bloodsuckers can turn even the smallest backyard into a mosquito metropolis. Blegen urges residents to identify and clear out potential mosquito breeding places and to report any nearby trouble spots. As summer approaches, Blegen said, the mosquito abatement district will be doing its part by keeping an eye on the county's far flung marshland, eliminating infestations and monitoring flocks of "sentinel chickens" for possible West Nile virus infection. "Our response is probably going to be the same response as last year," Blegen said. "We'll be controlling old sources and seeking out new sources." Although UC Davis medical entomologists are warning of an early mosquito season with a potentially greater threat of West Nile virus, Blegen said it's a little early to predict a bad season. "Obviously, we've had a lot of wet weather and we do have a lot of standing water, but I think what we'll have to watch is the temperature," Blegen said. "I really feel that the temperature factor is most significant, especially for Solano County. With higher temperatures we seem to have more viral activity." Periods of higher temperatures — 90 degrees and above — in the late summer and early fall, Blegen said, can mean trouble. On the other hand, he added, there's usually a degree of uncertainty involved. "It's always a humbling experience to try to predict Mother Nature," Blegen said, adding that Solano County is entering its third year of dealing with West Nile virus. "What we've seen in other areas during the third year is that you have less viral activity," Blegen explained. "But that isn't always the case." There were five reported cases of West Nile virus among humans in Solano County last year and no fatalities, Blegen said. According to UC Davis, there were 900 cases of West Nile virus statewide last year, 18 of which were fatal. The virus has been reported in all of the state's 58 counties. Most West Nile virus cases, UC Davis reports, are mild, resulting in flu-like symptoms. More serious cases may involve disorientation, neck stiffness, coma, tremors, convulsions, paralysis and, in rare instances, death. For information, contact the Solano County Mosquito Abatement District at (707) 437-1116 or the Solano County Health Department at (707) 553-5402. Information also can be found on the UC Mosquito Research Program Web site at www.ucmrp.ucdavis.edu.
Brian Hamlin can be reached at courts@thereporter.com.
Contact:
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Solano County Mosquito Abatement District
UC Mosquito Research Program - Department of Entomology - UC Davis - UC Agriculture and Natural Resources
One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616
© 2006, The Regents of the
University of California.
Comments or Questions: Nancy Dullum, Program Assistant
Last updated:
03/13/2006