City Of Greenbelt: Mosquito Spraying Due To West Nile Virus

Press release from the City of Greenbelt:

08/05/2021 7:07 PM

A mosquito tested positive for West Nile in Chelsea Woods Condos. CDC guidance requires the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) to spray a 3/4 mile radius of where the mosquito was trapped. Click to view the MDA Press Releases. It contains additional information on how to subscribe to notifications and a number you can call.

Please reference the map below regarding our unscheduled spray for Sunday night, 8/8/21, and how it may impact the City of Greenbelt.

Spraying will commence after it gets dark around 9 or 9:30pm and continue until they are finished. Residents are advised to stay inside while the spray truck is in the vicinity and remain in their homes for 20-30 minutes after the truck has left their neighborhood. This is just a precaution. In addition, the spray technician will not spray if people are outside, or if there is vehicle traffic.

 
Background
At the September 25, 2017, Council met and discussed the possibility of entering into the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Adult Mosquito Surveillance Program. At the time three neighboring municipalities had mosquitoes test positive for West Nile Virus. Since this is a public health issue the council voted in favor of applying to MDA Adult Mosquito Surveillance Program waiting list.

This decision carried a four part motion:

1. Public education – We have placed downloadable easy to read information on the City web site entitled “Protecting Your Home Against Mosquitoes”, “Tips to Rid Your Community of Mosquito Breeding Sites”, and “West Nile Prevention”. We have handed out informational brochures and informational coloring books in English and Spanish at public events throughout the year.

2. Contacted MDA and got on the waiting list in October of 2017. The status now has changed to active in the program, as voted by City Council.

3. Referral to Green ACES

4. Cost– The estimated cost is around $3,000 - $5,000. 

Currently
Greenbelt is part of the Pilot Adult Mosquito Surveillance Program. This pilot program consists of three traps, monitoring mosquitos, and testing for West Nile Virus on a two week cycle. Trapping begins the week of May 27th and ends the week of Sept 16th. The pilot program only sprays if a there is a positive test for West Nile Virus. MDA sprays a ¾ mile radius around any positive test area with no exceptions. This program was requested by Public Works, it is not a program being utilized anywhere else in the state. 

Testing the adult mosquito for West Nile virus, Zika and several other mosquito-borne diseases is very important. These diseases are endemic in Maryland and are transmitted through the bite of a mosquito. 

This press release was produced by the City of Greenbelt. The views expressed here are the author’s own.