County may begin spraying for mosquitoes soon

State-funded mosquito spraying to help curb the growing West Nile Virus problem in Elmore County could begin as early as Friday, according to Elmore County Disaster Coordinator Nick Schilz.

Last Thursday, Gov. Jim Risch signed Idaho's fifth disaster assistance proclamation for West Nile Virus when he granted a petition sent by the Board of Elmore County Commissioners.

At press time, Elmore County had the third highest rate in the state of individuals infected with the West Nile Virus at 43. Ada County has reported 150 cases and Canyon County has 137. At least three people have died in Elmore County where West Nile Virus was a contributing factor. Seven Idahoans overall have died from the virus.

Risch has already signed disaster assistance proclamations for Ada, Canyon, Owyhee and Bingham Counties.

In a statement released by the governor's office, Risch said, "We stand ready to help them (Elmore County) as they finalize their plans to eradicate a large portion of the mosquito populations that carry the West Nile Virus."

"By working together we can provide greater protection to the citizens of Elmore County from this disease."

With the disaster assistance proclamation, all that remains is for county, state and federal officials to agree to a plan and then send it to Risch, who will have to sign an Implementation Memorandum that will allow county officials to proceed.

Schilz said the county sent a finalized copy of their plan to state and federal officials Tuesday.

"The plan has been hand-delivered to the Department of Homeland Security and the State of Idaho," he said. "Now they have to review it and then send it to Risch's office for him to sign."

"The best case scenario is that it gets approved in the next couple of days and we start spraying by the end of the week."

The cost of implementing the plan will fall mostly on the state, which will pay about 75 percent of the total cost for disaster assistance. Elmore County will chip in the remaining 25 percent.

According to Commissioner Larry Rose, obtaining funding from the state was difficult because Elmore County currently has no Mosquito Abatement District.

"We need to get this plan to the state right away," he told concerned citizens at a meeting to discuss the West Nile Virus last week, "because we sure don't have any money set aside to deal with this."

Commissioner Mary Egusquiza said the county is drafting a proposal and map for a Mosquito Abatement District for next year but that taking care of the immediate mosquito problem was the highest priority.

"We have to get some help now and then somewhere down the line we can work on getting an abatement district in place," she said.

The Implementation Plan calls for the county to use aerial and ground applications for mosquito eradication and control. The areas designated for immediate spraying are the Cities of Mountain Home, Glenns Ferry, Hammett and Smith Prairie.

Several pesticides, including Dibrom (Naled) Concentrate, Aquabac 200g and B.T.I., are being proposed for use by the company Vector Disease Control (VDCI). VCDI is the same company that is completing spraying applications in Ada County.

Schilz said the spraying will occur at night and the public will be notified of the exact dates and times as early as possible.

He also wished to warn people to avoid the following areas during spraying: restaurants or businesses with outdoor patios; daycares; schools; recreational centers; parks; and fairgrounds.

More information can be obtained by logging onto the Elmore County Mosquito Working Group Website at www.elmorecounty.org or the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare at www.heathandwelfare.idaho.gov.

For updates on the Implementation Plan and spraying schedule, contact Schilz at 587-2100 Ext. 130 or Mir M. Seyedbagheri, Elmore County Extension Education, at 587-2136 Ext. 509.