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Jul 15, 2008 7:14 am US/Pacific
Wildfires Help Spread West Nile Virus?
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) ―
Two unrelated problems hitting California -- fires and foreclosures -- may be increasing the risk of a third problem.
A combination of smoke-filled air from wildfires and abandoned pools in the backyards of foreclosed properties may be helping the West Nile virus spread.
Because wildfires are putting so much smoke into the air in the Sacramento area officials are holding off aerial spraying of insecticide.
West Nile is spread to humans and animals by infected mosquitoes.
At the same time, backyard pools left with standing water in abandoned, foreclosed properties are creating additional breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
The Sacramento-Yolo County Mosquito and Vector Control District held off aerial spraying of mosquito insecticide last week because of smoke from the fires.
To combat mosquitoes in standing water, officials in Sacramento and other parts of the state are turning to a tiny fish which devours mosquito larvae.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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