The Alberta government has committed $4 million to help municipalities direct their mosquito control efforts against species most likely to carry West Nile virus.
Funding is being made available to municipalities to augment or in-itiate mosquito control programs aimed at reducing the numbers of Culex tarsalis mosquitoes. Of the 43 mosquito species in Alberta, this mosquito is primarily responsible for transferring the virus from infected birds to people.
“We are taking steps to reduce the number of mosquitoes as part of an overall strategy to reduce the risk of infection with West Nile virus, especially in the south where most of the cases occurred last summer,” said Karen Grimsrud, deputy provincial health officer.
“Evidence from other jurisdictions shows that controlling mosquitoes in the larval stage, and early in the season, is the most effective way to reduce mosquito populations,” said Grimsrud.
