Health officials out to zap mozzies before the peak season

Even though no cases of West Nile virus have been reported so far this year, area health officials at the Virginia Department of Health are getting a head start on mosquitoes carrying such diseases before the peak breeding season arrives.

Fertile breeding grounds as public ponds and catch basins are being targeted by Health Officials by applying organic larvicide.

Maria Hille, who manages the animal-disease prevention program for the health department's Bureau of Community Hygiene says they began about mid-May mainly targeting the catch basins, and the department will continue its weekly surveillance of mosquito traps and distribute educational fliers while crews apply insecticide in eight-block sections as the weather gets warmer and residents file complaints.

Miss Hille says, depending on the weather, the mosquito season is usually from about June to September and they are being proactive this year because the compound can last in the water for up to 30 days.

There was one confirmed human case of West Nile virus in the District last year, compared with three in 2003 and 31 in 2002, none have been reported so far this year.

Lucy Caldwell, spokeswoman for the Health Department says they are setting up a variety of mosquito traps to determine which species are prevalent in different neighborhoods and to get a better idea of which species are most likely to carry the potentially deadly West Nile virus.

Caldwell says because it has been a wet spring, and it will soon get warmer people can expect to see the first mosquitoes soon.

Virginia had five reported human cases of the West Nile virus last year, which was responsible for the death of one, an elderly man.

Virginia officials have adopted the common procedure of a continuing public-awareness campaign urging residents to clear rain gutters and rid their property of such mosquito breeding grounds as old tires and abandoned children's pools.

Miss Caldwell says they want to get the message out about how important it is to eliminate any standing water.

Maryland officials too are also relying on larvicide and public awareness, Sue DuPont, a spokeswoman for the state's Department of Agriculture says it is a multipronged approach, where communities have to apply for larvicide treatment, along with an education process about getting rid of standing water.

Jeannine Dorothy, a department entomologist, said the larvicide techniques vary by location and while some areas are treated mostly by hand, where the problem is much worse, vehicle-mounted spraying equipment is used.

Maryland officials are also advising residents to avoid staying outside at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active and to use DEET-containing repellents, wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts and hats when outdoors.