California Governor Schwarzenegger Announces Release of Emergency Funding to Fight West Nile Virus

08/09/2007 -- Within a week of issuing a West Nile Virus emergency proclamation, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced funding has been released to immediately begin additional mosquito control efforts in four counties.

“California already has one of the most comprehensive West Nile Virus surveillance and control programs in the nation, but we must take more aggressive action due to this year’s unprecedented increase in the number of cases,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “The state stands ready to give our local partners the resources they need to fight West Nile Virus this year.”

The funding announced today has been awarded to the following vector control agencies:

* Kern Mosquito and Vector Control District ($200,000) - to conduct aerial spraying over an urban area (Bakersfield) for the first time this year, beginning tonight.

* San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District ($100,000) - to intensify and expand aerial spraying to areas that they could not cover before.

* Colusa Mosquito Abatement District ($100,000) - to conduct, for the first time, adult mosquito control via ground and aerial spraying outside the boundaries of the district.

* Glenn County Mosquito and Vector Control District ($53,000) - to start adult mosquito control via ground and aerial spraying outside the boundaries of the district, including rice fields and orchards.

While Kings County is eligible for emergency funding, local officials have stated they do not need additional resources at this time.

The number of people infected this year with West Nile Virus is three times higher than the same time last year. There have been 5 deaths in California due to West Nile Virus (2 in Kern County, 1 in Kings County, 1 in San Joaquin County and 1 in Colusa County).

Since taking office, Governor Schwarzenegger has invested more than $15 million to fight the West Nile Virus. The state deploys surveillance and detection technology to track specific areas of West Nile Virus activity and alert local agencies so they can target their mosquito control activities.

Source: California Governor

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