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BOARD- OF Sl1PERVL~ORS
COUNTY OF BUTTE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Resolution No. o3-oss
RESOLUTION DECLARING APRIL, 28 - 1~~IAY 4, 2003 AS
MOSQUITO AND VECTOR CONTROL AND WEST NILE VIRUS
AWARENESS WEEK
WHEREAS,13utte Colmty recognizes that West Nile V irusa virulent and potentially deadly
form of encephalitis- poses a grave threat to the health and safety of all Californians as early as this
spring and for the foreseeable fixture, and
WHEREAS, adequately funded mosquito and vector control, monitoring, and public
awareness programs are the best way to prevent outbreaks of West Nile virus and other diseases
borne by mosquitoes and other vectors, and
WHEREAS, mosquitoes and other vectors, including but not limited to ticks, Africanized
Honey Bees, rats, fleas, and flies, continue to be a source of human suffering, illness, death and a
public nuisance in California and around the world; and
WHEREAS, excess numbers of mosquitoes and other vectors spread diseases of humans,
livestock, and wildlife, reduce enjoyment of outdoor living spaces, both public and private, reduce
property values, hinder outdoor work, reduce livestock productivity; and
WHEREAS, mosquitoes and other vectors can disperse or be transported long distances
from their sources and are, therefore, a health risk and public nuisance; and
WHEREAS, professional mosquito and vector control based on scientific research has made
great advances in reducing mosquito and vector populations and. the diseases they transmit; and
WHEREAS, mosquito and vector-borne viruses that can cause human illness or even death
have been routinely found in mosquitoes and other vectors in over one half of the counties in
California; and
WHEREAS, mosquitoes that are commonly found within California are known vectors
of the West Nile virus, which has struck with deadly force throughout the United States in recent
years; and
WHEREAS, established mosquito and vector-borne diseases such as plague, Lyme
Disease, and encephalitis, and new and emerging vector-borne diseases such as hantavirus,
arenavincs, babesiosis, and ehrlichiosis cause ilhless and sometimes death every year in
California; and
WHEREAS, Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control District works with mosquito and
vector control districts throughout California, the United States Environmental Protection Agency,
and the State Department of Health Services to reduce pesticide risks to humans, animals, and the
environment while protecting human health from mosquito and vector-borne diseases and nuisance
attacks; and
WHEREAS, the public's awareness ofthe health benefits associated with safe, professionally
applied mosquito and vector control methods will support these efforts, as well as motivate the
public to eliminate mosquito and vector breeding sites on private property; and
WHEREAS, educational programs are being developed to include schools, civic groups,
private industry, and government agencies, in order to meet the public's need for information about
West Nile Virus, other diseases, and mosquito and vector biology and control; and
WHEREAS, adequate funding for mosquito and vector control and far surveillance of
vector-borne disease organisms is not being provided in many communities; and
WHEREAS, public awareness can result in reduced production of mosquitoes and other
vectors on private, commercial, and public lands by responsible parties, avoidance of the bites of
mosquitoes and other vectors when the risk of West Nile Virus and other disease transmission is
high, detection of human cases of mosquito and vector-borne diseases that may be otherwise
misdiagnosed for lack of appropriate laboratory testing, and the formation of mosquito or vector
control agencies where needed; and
WHEREAS, public awareness can result in action to provide adequate funding for existing
mosquito and vector control agencies or, in areas where there are no existing controls; and
WHEREAS, "Mosquito and hector Control czrtd West Nile Virus Awareness Week" will
increase the public's awareness of the threat of West Nile virus and other diseases and the activities
of the various mosquito and vector research and control agencies working to minimize the health
threat within California, and will high]ight the educational programs currently available; and
WHEREAS, the Mosquito and Vector Control Association of Californiahas designated the
week of April 28 through May 4, 2003, as "Mosquito and Vector Control and West Nile Virus
Awareness Week" in the State of California.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Butte County Board of Supervisors
that the week of April 28 through May 4, 2003, be designated as Mosquito and Vector Control
and West Nile Virus Awareness Week in Butte County.
PASSER AND ADOPTED, by the Butte County Board of Supervisors this 8`~ day of
April 2003 by the following Grote:
AYES: Supervisors Dolan, Roux, Josiassen, Yamaguchi. and Chair Beeler
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
NOT VOTING: None
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R. J. BEELER, Chair
ATTEST:
PAUL MCINTOSH, Chief Administrative Officer
and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: { ,
Deputy
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