**Remember, this pesticide has not been tested for long term risks. If it is ONLY as bad as the average pesticide is, according to studies of general pesticide exposure levels in various cities, then we need to worry about cancer, asthma, autism, and Parkinson's risks being significantly increased.

Please go to our website to learn more, to sign up for alerts, and to sign the no-spray petition.

www.BeyondToday.org
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City Sprays to Kill Mosquitoes, Reduce West Nile Virus Risk

For Immediate Release
Contact: Tim Hadac
Phone: (312) 747-9805
Email: hadac_tim (at) cdph.org
Friday, August 18, 2006

Chicagoans Advised to Take Precautions to Avoid Bites

Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) officials announced today that they will again spray pesticide to kill mosquitoes and slow the spread of the West Nile Virus.

The spraying will be conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday nights in areas of the city that are showing significant numbers of birds and/or mosquitoes infected with the virus.

The first night of spraying starts at 7 p.m. Tuesday and runs until 2 a.m. Wednesday. Two areas (one area on the Near West Side, the second an area on the South Side) will be sprayed that night. The second night of spraying starts at 7 p.m. Wednesday and runs until 2 a.m. Thursday. Four areas will be sprayed that night and include areas of the city on the Northwest, Southwest, and Southeast (2) sides.

Spraying will occur in neighborhoods in which CDPH traps recently yielded mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus. Those neighborhoods are diffused throughout the city. (See schedule and map for specific boundaries)

"Last year our aggressive approach in controlling mosquitoes had a major impact, with approximately a 75 percent reduction in infected mosquitoes and in risk of human illness caused by West Nile virus infection," stated Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) Commissioner Terry Mason, M.D., F.A.C.S. "Even so, we had 41 cases and one death in the city. Conditions are comparable now to the conditions at the time we sprayed last year. Again this year we are aiming to prevent people from getting sick, which is why we are spraying now."

The trucks are staffed by licensed mosquito abatement technicians who dispense an ultra-low-volume spray. The trucks are rolling up and down streets and alleys between dusk and dawn, the peak period of activity and exposure of the Northern House Mosquito, the type of insect that spreads the West Nile virus.

The spray's active ingredient is Anvil, an insecticide approved for use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The spray will be applied by Roselle-based Clarke Mosquito Control, a leader in the mosquito control industry since 1946. Guiding the crews through the streets and alleys are staff from the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation. Residents of targeted neighborhoods are advised to stay indoors and close their windows while spraying is underway.

Until just a few weeks ago, there had been only a few detections of West Nile Virus among mosquitoes in the city. Then the number of positive mosquito samples increased to 33; and last week, the 2006 total number of positive samples jumped to 111. Of those positive samples, 56 have appeared in the last week throughout the city.

"Spraying to kill adult mosquitoes is a sensible and effective component of an integrated pest management program. This year we're choosing to deploy it in those city neighborhoods most affected by West Nile," added CDPH Deputy Commissioner William Paul, MD "And while no one can control the weather—and in a city of 228 square miles we can't prevent every single mosquito from hatching and biting, it is our expectation that this effort, by further limiting the mosquito population, will prevent cases of human illness in Chicago."

The Northern House mosquito, Culex pipiens, is the primary carrier of West Nile virus. This mosquito species thrives in water with high organic content, such as that found in catch basins (storm sewers). Consequently, a hot, dry summer (like the current one) increases the risk of West Nile virus infection, exactly the opposite of what many people believe. In contrast, the swarms of "floodwater" mosquitoes that appear after heavy rains may be a nuisance, but they rarely are infected with West Nile virus.

In 2005 some 3,000 human cases (119 of them fatal) of West Nile-related illness were reported nationally. In Illinois, there were 252 reported cases and 12 deaths. In Chicago, there were 41 reported cases and 1 death. Thus far in 2006, 48 Illinois counties have reported positive tests for West Nile in birds and mosquitoes. There have been two known human cases of West Nile-related illness in the state, although officials say that could change quickly. No human cases have been reported in Chicago.

CDPH officials ask all Chicagoans to take precautions to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites. Especially important is the use of insect repellent containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), Picaridin (KBR 3023) or Oil of Lemon eucalyptus (PMD).

Northern House mosquitoes are not aggressive, and people rarely notice when being bitten.

An example of a product containing Picaridin is Cutter Advanced Insect Repellent (more info at www.picaridin.com), available at stores across the city.

In addition to using insect repellent to avoid bites, CDPH officials advise:

* Consider limiting outdoor activity after dark (dusk to dawn), which is when Northern House Mosquito is most active.
* When outside between dusk and dawn, wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing that includes long pants, long-sleeved shirts, socks and shoes.
* Check to see that all screen on doors and windows are tight-fitting and free of holes and tears.
* Encourage neighbors to exercise precautions.

To limit mosquito breeding opportunities, CDPH officials recommend:

* draining and replacing water in birdbaths and children's backyard wading pools every four to five days;
* properly disposing of old tires, jars, cans, pans, bottles, buckets and other unwanted containers that can hold standing water;
* making sure that rain gutters, downspouts, swimming pools and pool covers are free of standing water;
* keeping grass and weeds cut short to eliminate hiding places for adult mosquitoes;

West Nile Virus infection can cause a relatively mild illness called West Nile Fever, characterized by fever, muscle aches, rash and headache. More severe West Nile illness is less common, but can include meningitis (inflammation of the membrane surrounding the brain) and encephalitis (inflammation and swelling of the brain itself). People of all ages are susceptible to West Nile infection, but people over age 50 are at greater risk of developing severe illness.

The City of Chicago's aggressive campaign against the Northern House Mosquito is led on a year-round basis by Mayor Richard M. Daley's Task Force on West Nile Virus, which meets regularly to assess past efforts and improve methods of disease surveillance, mosquito control and public education.

To date, the Task Force has led an effort that has seen hundreds of thousands of catch basins treated with larvicide that significantly limits mosquito breeding opportunities. Other city efforts have included identifying and eliminating sources of standing water, and the printing and dissemination of thousands of informational brochures to sites across the city.

West Nile Virus informational brochures may be obtained by visiting any Chicago Public Library branch or by calling 311.

For prevention tips and weekly updates on West Nile Virus activity in Chicago, visit our web site at cityofchicago.org/health.

For an expert national perspective on West Nile Virus, visit the official web site of the CDC.

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Mosquito Spraying Schedule and Map

1st Night (dusk Tuesday, Aug. 22 – 2 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23):

* Near West
Area 2 – area bounded by North Ave. on the north, Roosevelt Rd. on the south, Western Ave. on the east, and Pulaski on the west.

* South
Area 3 – area roughly bounded by Cermak on the north, 71st St. on the south, State St. on the east, and Pulaski on the west.

2nd Night (dusk Wednesday, Aug. 23 – 2 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 24):

* Northwest
Area 1 – area roughly bounded by the city boundary on the north, Addison on the south, Pulaski on the east, and the city boundary on the west.

* Southwest
Area 4 – area roughly bounded by 83rd St. on the north, 119th on the south, State St. on the east, and Pulaski on the west (to include 111th to 119th, Pulaski to Cicero).

* Southeast
Area 5 – area roughly bounded by 100th St. on the north, 118th on the south, Avenue F on the east, Calumet River on the west.

* Far Southeast
Area 6 – area roughly bounded by 125th St. on the north, 136th St. on the south, Avenue K on the east, and Saginaw on the west.