From Oakland Tribune/Malthias Gafni, 1/20/12, "Mosquito fogging in jeopardy after new environmental regulations."
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| Lots of open space here "-- be aware!" |
"As
fears grow that an unseasonably warm winter could lead to a severe West
Nile virus season in the Bay Area, statewide vector control agencies
may lose their chief weapon in fighting the mosquito-borne illness.
Mosquitoes
already have awakened from their hibernation, and a late rain could
create the perfect breeding ground for West Nile, just as a federal
court ruling imposes strict regulations on the use of mosquito-abatement
pesticides. The ruling, which took effect last fall, requires
that pesticide use adhere to the Clean Water Act, meaning seasonal
fogging may cease in parts of the Bay Area, increasing the chances
humans will get infected by the potentially fatal virus, experts say. A
bill that would free vector control agencies from the rules is stuck in
Congress.
In addition to the regulatory and biological perfect
storm, an Asian tiger mosquito infestation in Southern California
threatens the rest of the state with the dangerous species, which
carries not only West Nile but also dengue fever, known as "break-bone
fever" because of the accompanying joint and muscle pains. This mosquito
was found in Santa Clara County six years ago but was quarantined
before it could spread.
Most people bitten by a mosquito carrying
West Nile experience no symptoms; however, 20 to 30 percent will
contract West Nile fever and flu-like symptoms, including possible
paralysis, and less than 1 percent will get a brain-inflammation
illness, according
to
the Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District. Since 1999,
California has had more than 30,000 reported human cases, with 1,228
deaths.
On
Monday and Tuesday, scientists from the state's 65 vector control
agencies will meet at their annual conference in Burlingame to discuss
two of the biggest issues to hit them in decades. "This is not the
time to not allow us to control the mosquitoes," said Deborah Bass,
spokeswoman for Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control. "We
could definitely see an increase in the number of human cases of West
Nile virus," said Dr. Steve Schutz, scientific program manager for the
Concord-based agency.
Read more.
Submitted by Jim Alex
Posted by Kathy Meeh
7 comments:
And of course John Curtis is on this
Vreeland must be our patient zero.
Bit by a scout mosquito or something like that.
Maybe the hamburgler Curtis bit Vreeland and gave him rabies?
I really hate mosquitoes. They carries viruses and other germs. As much as possible I see to it that my kid avoid being bitten by mosquito. pretty scared!
This just in. Remember John Curtis was arrested a few months ago.
It was for SHOPLIFTING!
At Pack N Save in SSF.
Why not Curtis, has been stealing from the taxpayers his whole life. They probably booted him out of every store in Pacifica for doing the same.
He has cost the city of Pacifica countless millions of dollars in lost revenue from the blockage of development at the Quarry twice, Fish Bowl, Old Waste Water Treatment Plant.
I heard a developer bought him some McDonalds and gave him some shush $$ to keep quiet about a big development around town.
Damn the Mosquito's. I fear having my hands and or feet anywhere around the Hamburgler Curtis when he is eating at McDonalds.
The only person in town who makes the billions served change sign change solo!!
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