First Signs of West Nile Virus Activity in Yolo County

FIRST SIGNS OF WEST NILE VIRUS ACTIVITY IN YOLO COUNTY
Activity continues in areas of Sacramento County
 
Elk Grove, Ca— The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control District announced today that the first signs of West Nile virus (WNV) activity have been detected in Yolo County as one mosquito sample collected from Knights Landing has tested positive for the disease. At the same time, West Nile virus activity continues to gradually increase in Sacramento County as more mosquito samples and dead birds tested positive from areas in Galt, Orangevale and Citrus Heights. “With the hot temperatures we had recently, West Nile virus activity is steadily increasing,” said Gary Goodman District Manager. “This year, activity has started earlier than in recent years. This is a cause for concern, especially as summer is around the corner and we are approaching the hottest months of the year when activity typically intensifies.  We urge residents continue taking proper precautions to protect themselves from mosquitoes,” added Goodman.
 
In response to the recent findings, the District will continue to monitor  West Nile virus activity through widespread mosquito trapping and testing and will perform ground treatments in areas where positive mosquitoes have been found to quickly decrease populations and protect public health. 
 
Another ongoing concern is the invasive mosquito Aedes aegypti. Invasive mosquitoes were detected for the first time in 2019 in Citrus Heights. This year, surveillance efforts have already detected invasive mosquitoes in the city of Winters in Yolo County and in the Arden-Arcade area of Sacramento County. Invasive mosquitoes pose a significant health threat because they can transmit dangerous viruses including Zika, dengue fever and chikungunya.
 
For current information about District activities, please visit www.FIGHTtheBITE.net. Residents may also subscribe to mailing lists to receive email notifications for upcoming mosquito treatments by zip code. To sign up, go to Spray Notifications on the website.
 
 
2021 West Nile virus activity update:
 
Sacramento County: 6 mosquito samples and 7 dead birds have tested positive for West Nile virus to date.
 
Yolo County:  1 mosquito sample has tested positive for West Nile virus to date