From Capital Public Radio
April 23, 2019
As temperatures climb, so does the mosquito population.
This week is Mosquito Awareness Week in California, which reminds residents to take precautions to avoid bites. Aaron Devencenzi with the San Joaquin Mosquito Control District says the main concern is the spread of West Nile virus.
“West Nile virus is throughout California and it’s important that people remember that disease is active,” he said. “We can get sick from that disease. We’ve had people from throughout the state die from West Nile virus and we want to reduce the overall population of mosquitoes from getting that disease.”
Last year California counted 218 cases of the virus spread by mosquitoes, 11 of which were fatal. And this year the state has seen 125 percent of normal rainfall, which means ideal conditions for mosquito breeding.
Devencenzi says reducing the mosquito population can start at home by removing any standing water.