Sunday, November 20, 2005; G2
Thanks to special district, West Nile held at bay again
Here's a question for local news junkies: After a summer that was predicted to be a perfect storm for West Nile virus, how many Sonoma and Marin county residents became ill from the disease?
(a) 10
(b) 100
(c) 1,000
Trick question. Of the more than 800 cases reported statewide, the number of West Nile illnesses in the two counties was zero (a Petaluma man became ill but most likely contracted the disease in Sacramento).
The success can be attributed to the Marin-Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District. District representatives appeared at hundreds of classrooms, fairs and farmers markets with information on how to prevent West Nile virus. And by creating a rapid-response system, the district was able to quickly identify infected birds and to respond aggressively.
Cooler weather also played an important role. "There were no long periods of triple-digit temperatures," said district spokesman Chris Canterbury, noting that mosquitoes thrive in heat.
Now that the mosquito season is officially over this year, residents can breathe a little easier - and say a grateful "thank you" to a once obscure public agency and its staff.