California Foreclosures, Fire and Mosquitoes

July 24th, 2008

California is in a hostile situation. Two main unavoidable reasons behind this situation are forest fires and an increasing rate of foreclosure. No way, the state is in any condition to fight against these two. Unfortunately, both of them raise the chance of spreading of the West Nile Virus, another alarming factor to the state. Wildfire would be considered as a natural calamity, but what about the foreclosure situation? Real estate owners are leaving their foreclosed homes and properties. Their backyard pools, filled with stagnant water, of these abandoned properties act as the breeding place for mosquitoes, the carriers of the West Nile Virus.

West Nile has arrived in the US in 1999. However, it is very common in Mideast and Africa. It is not life threatening although, but in less than 1 percent of the cases, it can be so. In 20 percent cases, mild symptoms like fever, headache and nausea may appear.

The situation is worse in the Sacramento area. The fire in north California has badly increased the level of air pollution. Spraying of mosquito insecticides may worsen the level of pollution as reported by local officials. According to The Sacramento-Yolo County Mosquito and Vector Control District, a combination of this with airborne particulate matter would neutralize the effectiveness of the insecticides on the insects. The officials are much worried about the increasing presence of infected mosquitoes, which are reported to be 10 in 1000. In addition to that, the foreclosure problem and foreclosed real estate properties are also matter of concern. Already three cases of West Nile infection in human beings have been detected in California, two in Stanislaus County and another one in Tulare County.

To resist any further increase in mosquito population, the state officials depend on Gambusia affinis, a tiny fish that destroys mosquito larvae as it feeds on them. Whenever real estate agents are informed about any abandoned or foreclosed property, the officials start planting Gambusia in the backyard pools of these properties, reports Luz Maria Rodriguez, district spokesman. They are supplying the fish to home owners as well on request.

The exact number of houses subject to foreclosure are not confirmed but the workers of Sacramento-Yolo district have planted Gambusia in almost 2000 houses, which is 4 times higher than last year. In the Greater Los Angeles County, the request for these fish also has increased double, as reported by officials. However, San Diego County officials are unable to meet the increasing demand.