Mosquitoes monitored for the West Nile virus - Los Banos Enterprise

STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

There have been no human cases of West Nile reported in California this year, but there are more reports of infected mosquitoes than at this time last year, when mosquitoes from five traps showed infected insects.

This year, infected mosquitoes have been found in 91 traps, said Vicki Kramer, chief of the California Department of Public Health's vector-borne disease section.

Of the 91 positive samples, 50 were in Sacramento County, Kramer said. Kern and Riverside counties have also had substantial numbers of infected mosquitoes.

Fresno County has had infected mosquitoes found in three traps.

Last year, 158 people in California were infected by West Nile virus. Nine died.

There were no fatalities in the Valley, but Fresno County reported nine cases and Tulare had 11. Madera had two and Kings had one.

Mosquito-control technicians have been busy over the past month, stocking mosquitofish in stagnant pools to try to outrace the mosquito-breeding season, which kicks into high gear in warm weather.

It's a never-ending job.

Infected bird found

In Merced County, a dead bird found in the Atwater area last month tested positive for West Nile virus, Merced County officials said this week.

No mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile Virus in the county, according to Allan Inman, director of the Merced County Mosquito Abatement District.

But that could change.

This week, the district began focusing on a two-mile radius around the area where the bird was found.

While flying over the area, Inman looked for standing water with vegetation in it. He spotted three draining basins from the air and half a dozen swimming pools people hadn't taken care of.

He set traps for mosquitoes and has sent some off for testing.

"It takes only one bite by the right mosquito," he said.