Merced County prepares for mosquito season

The Merced County Mosquito Abatement District started fieldwork to check for mosquitoes that spread West Nile virus.

Although the virus has not been detected this year in Merced, mosquito season is just beginning and there is always potential for virus activity to pick up quickly, especially amid high temperatures and dry conditions.

Allan Inman, entomologist and manager at the Mosquito Abatement District, said mosquitoes will concentrate in areas with any water source. Despite the drought, mosquitoes will find places to breed, such as in unkempt swimming pools.

Inman explained that dry years mean that birds and mosquitoes will seek water and come closer in contact. Increased interaction between the two can intensify virus activity.

“This means that even if there’s less mosquitoes there might be higher infection rates,” Inman said. “It varies each season.”

Last month the California Department of Public Health announced that 2014 was a hot year for West Nile activity.

California recorded 801 cases of the disease, of which 31 resulted in deaths, according to the department. This was the second-highest number of human cases of West Nile virus, and the highest number of deaths, since the virus first came into California in 2003.

“We’re very proud that we (Merced County) have some of the lowest infection rates in the Central Valley,” Inman said.

Last year, Merced County confirmed only one human case of West Nile virus. There were two other suspected cases that were not confirmed.

There also were 11 mosquito pools found in areas of rural Merced County, including areas in Gustine, Dos Palos, Winton, Hilmar and in the city of Merced.

Inman said the past two years have been successful for mosquito control in Merced County. In 2012, 13 human cases of West Nile were reported.

The control, Inman said, largely was the result of a quicker and more aggressive response by the abatement district.

The rising temperatures are a concern for the district, as mosquitoes tend to replicate faster in warm temperatures, Inman said. Currently the district is working on treating lagoons and large sources of unkempt water.

Inman said the district relies on the public for help. People are asked to empty all standing water. For help removing sources, people can call the Mosquito Abatement District at (209) 722-1527.

This story was originally published May 3, 2015 at 5:36 PM with the headline "Merced County prepares for mosquito season."