HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 8/10/2021 - Memorandum From Matt Parker, Amy Resseguie And Tyler Marr Re: West Nile Virus (Wnv) - Weekly Update 1745 Hoffman Mill Road
PO Box 580, Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580
MEMORANDUM
Date: August 4, 2021
To: Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Matt Parker, Sr. Supervisor, Natural Areas
Amy Resseguie, Sr. Specialist, Communications & Public Involvement
Tyler Marr, Deputy Director, Information & Employee Services
Through: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Kelly DiMartino, Deputy City Manager
Seve Ghose, Director, Community Services
Mike Calhoon, Director, Parks
Zoe Shark, Interim Director, Natural Areas
Subject: West Nile virus (WNV) – Weekly Update
Summary:
WNV continues to amplify within the bird community with 8 traps testing positive this week; last
week 2 traps tested positive. Although the Vector Index (a calculation of the abundance of
mosquitoes and the infection rate) is below the policy threshold of 0.75, the viral load within the
community is quickly increasing with a potential for extremely high activity in the coming weeks.
Current Vector Index:
Week No: 30 Vector Index
Threshold:
Previous Week Vector
Index:
Current Vector
Index:
FC – Zone
NW NA 0.00 0.00
FC – Zone NE NA 0.00 0.00
FC – Zone SE NA 0.14 0.41
FC – Zone SW NA 0.00 0.23
FC – Citywide NA 0.05 0.19
Floating Zone 0.75 0.41 0.48
Current Conditions: WNV-positive mosquitoes were detected in eight traps; six in the
southeastern quadrant of the city, two in the southwest quadrant. A variety of floating zones can
be identified, all showing Vector Index values in the 0.40 to 0.48 range. Culex mosquito
abundance is higher than average in every quadrant of the city. However, the infection rate
within those mosquitoes is lower than average in all but the southeast quadrant. This points to a
strong potential for WNV to amplify significantly in the coming weeks. The expected continuation
of the monsoonal precipitation pattern will also create conditions favoring mosquito production.
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City of Fort Collins
Process for Spray Recommendations: Current WNV conditions are below the policy thresholds
identified for adult mosquito spraying applications. If the City’s trapping network shows WNV
activity beyond the threshold of 0.75, the Larimer County Health Department will likely make a
recommendation that the City conduct an application to treat adult mosquitoes. If an application
is recommended, areas of concern will be identified based on data from a minimum of 5 traps.
Identified treatment areas may be sub-zone or may cross-zone boundaries.
Outreach and Public Awareness:
Budget reductions have impacted the WNV outreach effort eliminating poster/rack card printing,
print and radio ads, bus bench ads, and community events booths. Street banners, social
media, and other digital content will continue as planned. In the event of a localized spike in the
vector index value, door hangers will be distributed. Outreach materials and messaging are
shared in both English and Spanish.
Outreach information is centered on “4Ds” messaging, which encourages people to Drain
standing water, Dress in long pants and sleeves to deter biting, Defend with EPA-approved
repellant, and avoid the high mosquito activity time between Dusk & Dawn.
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