NOTICE OF BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING
Public Health Advisory: West Nile Virus (WNV) positive tests in mosquitoes.
Emilio DeBess, DVM, MPH
Oregon Health Authority
971-673-1111
Sheree Smith, Public Health Director
Morrow County Health Department
541-676-5421
Greg Barron, Manager
North Morrow Vector Control District
541-481-6082
For Immediate Release:
August 26, 2019
Public Health officials are concerned about widespread West Nile Virus activity throughout the area and are urging residents of all ages to take the necessary steps to reduce their exposure to mosquitoes.
The North Morrow Vector Control District is reporting that West Nile Virus has been detected in 58 mosquito samples this year. The Oregon State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory reported on 8/25/19 that 11 additional samples from mosquitoes collected last week have tested positive. The samples were from areas in and around Irrigon and Boardman. The West Umatilla Mosquito Control District has also reported four positive mosquito samples this year. The virus was initially detected on July 8th in both districts and has become more widespread since that time.
People are encouraged to take appropriate precautions to protect themselves against mosquito bites. Most people who become infected with West Nile Virus do not become ill. Some may develop mild flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, and occasionally swollen lymph glands or a rash. In rare cases West Nile may cause encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain. Individuals with severe or unusual headaches should seek medical care as soon as possible. Residents of the district should remain vigilant in protecting themselves from mosquitoes and the diseases that they can carry, such as West Nile Virus.
Here are some suggestions to reduce the risk of exposure to West Nile:
In response to increased West Nile Virus activity, the district will be conducting targeted aerial mosquito control spraying with a twin engine airplane after sunset. On Monday August 26th, both districts carried out such a spray mission in both counties. A total of 5,120 acres was targeted in areas around Umatilla, Irrigon, and Boardman. Further applications will be scheduled as needed to respond to increased vector populations or positive samples as they are found. No areas within city limits are currently scheduled for aerial spraying. Areas in and outside of the city limits will be sprayed after sunset with ground truck mounted ultra-low-volume fogging units. These fogging applications will be ongoing on an as needed basis.
West Nile is primarily a bird disease, and some birds, including magpies, blue jays and crows are especially susceptible. Mosquitoes become infected by feeding on an infected bird and can pass the virus to humans, horses or other hosts when they bite. The public is encouraged to continue to alert district officials when they come across dead birds, so the district can track the spread of the virus.
Because horses are also at risk for West Nile, health officials encourage horse owners to check with their veterinarians for vaccination. Veterinarians can arrange for testing of samples from horses suspected of infection with West Nile Virus.
Updates about West Nile Virus in Umatilla County will be released to local media outlets or you can go to the Oregon Department of Human Services web page at: https://public.health.oregon.gov/DiseasesConditions/DiseasesAZ/WestNileVirus/Pages/survey.aspx
Additional information on West Nile is on the Web at:
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/
Umatilla County
http://www.co.umatilla.or.us
Morrow County Health Department
http://www.co.morrow.or.us/publichealth
Emilio DeBess, DVM, MPH
Oregon Health Authority
971-673-1111
Sheree Smith, Public Health Director
Morrow County Health Department
541-676-5421
Greg Barron, Manager
North Morrow Vector Control District
541-481-6082
For Immediate Release:
August 26, 2019
Public Health officials are concerned about widespread West Nile Virus activity throughout the area and are urging residents of all ages to take the necessary steps to reduce their exposure to mosquitoes.
The North Morrow Vector Control District is reporting that West Nile Virus has been detected in 58 mosquito samples this year. The Oregon State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory reported on 8/25/19 that 11 additional samples from mosquitoes collected last week have tested positive. The samples were from areas in and around Irrigon and Boardman. The West Umatilla Mosquito Control District has also reported four positive mosquito samples this year. The virus was initially detected on July 8th in both districts and has become more widespread since that time.
People are encouraged to take appropriate precautions to protect themselves against mosquito bites. Most people who become infected with West Nile Virus do not become ill. Some may develop mild flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, and occasionally swollen lymph glands or a rash. In rare cases West Nile may cause encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain. Individuals with severe or unusual headaches should seek medical care as soon as possible. Residents of the district should remain vigilant in protecting themselves from mosquitoes and the diseases that they can carry, such as West Nile Virus.
Here are some suggestions to reduce the risk of exposure to West Nile:
- Get rid of old tires and other containers where water can accumulate and serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
- Flush or replace the water in horse troughs weekly.
- Be sure to flush or add mosquito fish to ornamental ponds.
- Avoid outdoor activities at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when in mosquito infested areas.
- Use mosquito repellents containing DEET, making sure to follow the directions on the container.
- Screen doors and windows.
- Report mosquito infestations and dead bird sightings to the West Umatilla Mosquito Control District (541) 567-5201 or North Morrow Vector Control District (541) 481-6082
In response to increased West Nile Virus activity, the district will be conducting targeted aerial mosquito control spraying with a twin engine airplane after sunset. On Monday August 26th, both districts carried out such a spray mission in both counties. A total of 5,120 acres was targeted in areas around Umatilla, Irrigon, and Boardman. Further applications will be scheduled as needed to respond to increased vector populations or positive samples as they are found. No areas within city limits are currently scheduled for aerial spraying. Areas in and outside of the city limits will be sprayed after sunset with ground truck mounted ultra-low-volume fogging units. These fogging applications will be ongoing on an as needed basis.
West Nile is primarily a bird disease, and some birds, including magpies, blue jays and crows are especially susceptible. Mosquitoes become infected by feeding on an infected bird and can pass the virus to humans, horses or other hosts when they bite. The public is encouraged to continue to alert district officials when they come across dead birds, so the district can track the spread of the virus.
Because horses are also at risk for West Nile, health officials encourage horse owners to check with their veterinarians for vaccination. Veterinarians can arrange for testing of samples from horses suspected of infection with West Nile Virus.
Updates about West Nile Virus in Umatilla County will be released to local media outlets or you can go to the Oregon Department of Human Services web page at: https://public.health.oregon.gov/DiseasesConditions/DiseasesAZ/WestNileVirus/Pages/survey.aspx
Additional information on West Nile is on the Web at:
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/
Umatilla County
http://www.co.umatilla.or.us
Morrow County Health Department
http://www.co.morrow.or.us/publichealth
WELCOME
Welcome to the website for North Morrow Vector Control District. Our district has been dedicated to serving the areas of both Boardman and Irrigon since 1978.
COMMITTMENT
Here at North Morrow Vector Control District we are committed to increasing public education, and further more sensibly improving the environment of which we both work and engage in recreation.This is accomplished by having an established Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program in place. An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program is intended to use cost effective control measures to reduce mosquito populations and the diseases they potentially carry, while being environmentally sensitive.
We do our best to be very receptive to our communities. Interaction and cooperation with property owners, residents and governmental agencies are essential components in our endeavor to reduce mosquito populations.
Thank you for visiting!
We do our best to be very receptive to our communities. Interaction and cooperation with property owners, residents and governmental agencies are essential components in our endeavor to reduce mosquito populations.
Thank you for visiting!