Fight the Bite! Mosquito Control & West Nile Virus Information
Public Health Update - July 2, 2010
The Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment confirmed today the first human case of West Nile virus in Weld County in 2010. This is also the first confirmed human case of West Nile virus in Colorado in 2010. In 2009, there were 103 human cases of West Nile virus in Colorado with 3 deaths. In Weld County there were a total of 15 cases confirmed last year and no deaths.
Dr. Mark Wallace, Executive Director of the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment (WCDPHE), said, “Conditions have been favorable for mosquitoes to breed. Many people have reported mosquitoes being more bothersome this season. It is not unexpected that northern Colorado is where the first case of West Nile virus infection has occurred. West Nile infection can be prevented when precautions are taken.”
Fight the Bite! West Nile Virus Prevention Tips
The Town of Erie and public health officials would like to remind residents that this is the time of year when West Nile Virus (WNV) activity can quickly increase. Therefore, residents are urged to take precautions to protect themselves by following the Four D's:
• Use Deet-enhanced insect repellent;
• Dress in long sleeves and pants;
• Avoid the outdoors from Dusk to Dawn; and
• Drain standing water outside your home.
Visit http://www.fightthebitecolorado.com/ for more information.
Mosquito Control Program
The Town of Erie has contracted with Colorado Mosquito Control to provide the Town’s mosquito surveillance and control activities for the 2010 season. Since May of this year, Colorado Mosquito Control has been identifying and monitoring potential mosquito breeding sites. When sites are found with mosquito larvae, technicians apply larvicides to control the mosquitoes before they become adults.
Colorado Mosquito Control will also provide any needed adult spraying services for the Town of Erie throughout the summer. Adult spraying needs will be based upon a combination of Public Health Department recommendations, residential complaints, adult mosquito population numbers and the season’s potential West Nile Virus activity. In advance to any general residential adult spraying applications, the Town will provide public notice and Colorado Mosquito Control will contact any community residents that have requested that they be notified.
Residents who wish to be notified prior to spraying operations in their neighborhood may call Colorado Mosquito Control to be placed on their notification call list and/or shutoff list.
Contact Information
To report high levels of mosquito activity, standing water, or to add any potential breeding sites on private property into the surveillance program, call Colorado Mosquito Control at 303-558-8730.
Call the toll-free Comment Line at 877-276-4306.
Visit Colorado Mosquito Control online at: http://www.comosquitocontrol.com/ .
