This week is West Nile Virus and Mosquito and Vector Control Awareness Week in California. The district manager of the Shasta Mosquito and Vector Control District says while there is no need to worry about the Zika virus affecting the North State, the West Nile Virus is a different matter.
Peter Bonkrude says there were 53 reported West Nile deaths last year state wide including one in Butte County. He says the virus seems to spread in the North State heat even though the number of infected mosquitoes has been down. And despite the increased rainfall this year he doesn't expect the population of mosquitoes to be up much from last year.
Bonkrude says to protect yourself, you should wear repellant when outdoors, remove standing water, and stay indoors during evening and morning hours.
