Maze Announces West Nile Funds for South Valley

ASSEMBLYMAN MAZE ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF WEST NILE VIRUS FUNDS FOR SOUTH VALLEY

Assemblyman Bill Maze (R-Visalia) announced the release of much needed West Nile Virus (WNV) funds to help control spread of the disease in the southern section of Tulare County. WNV first appeared in California in 2002. Since then, it has caused death and illness every subsequent summer.

This year, as of July 21, there have been nine confirmed human cases of WMV in Tulare County. Carried and transmitted by mosquitoes, young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk to experience the adverse effects of the disease.

The Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency will receive $200,000 from the California Department of Health Services. The funds will be used to spray "hot spots" and employ other mosquito abatement techniques through the Delta Vector Control District. The targeted area will include Porterville, Lindsay, Strathmore, Terra Bella, and other nearby populated areas. Currently, these populated areas are not a part of mosquito abatement programs.

Said Maze, "This is a deadly virus for humans as well as equine and other animals. What we've seen since it arrived in America, is a rapid spread across the country. We need to attack this disease aggressively. To not act would be irresponsible. I know Tulare County and the Delta Vector Control District will put these funds to good use, and the people of the county will receive a very direct benefit. And I'm proud to have worked, along with other Legislators such as Nicole Parra, to help secure these funds."