News

West Nile Virus Increases in Rio Linda/Elverta Area

Elk Grove, Ca— The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District continues to closely monitor areas throughout both Sacramento and Yolo counties where West Nile virus activity continues to be on the rise. Specific areas of concern include the City of Davis, Citrus Heights and communities in the Northern part of Sacramento County including Orangevale, Antelope, Natomas, North Highlands, Elverta and Rio Linda.

“The intensity of the virus continues to escalate and aerial spraying may be necessary in order to protect the health of residents living in these areas,” said Gary Goodman, District Manager. “We need to act quickly, do everything we can to reduce mosquito populations and ensure they are not a public health threat,” added Goodman.

Over the last few weeks virus activity has been high as many mosquito samples have tested positive. The District will continue to closely monitor these areas of concern and laboratory results that will be available on Friday will determine if aerial spraying will be necessary early next week. For specific locations of potential spray areas see the map below.

In response to the ongoing detection of West Nile and in an effort to keep the disease from spreading further, District staff has intensified ground mosquito control efforts conducting treatments in area parks, trails, creeks and agricultural areas surrounding the areas of concern.

The high West Nile activity throughout the District comes at a time when neighboring Placer and San Joaquin counties have also detected many mosquito samples positive for the virus. To date, 19 human cases have been confirmed and this number is expected to grow throughout the next few weeks. In 2017, a total of 553 human cases were recorded including 44 fatalities.

For current information about any treatments planned please visit www.FIGHTtheBITE.net 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.

2018 West Nile virus activity map: http://www.fightthebite.net/west-nile-virus-activity-map 

Sacramento County: 242 mosquito samples and 200dead birds have tested positive for West Nile virus to date.

Yolo County: 53 mosquito samples and 19 dead birds