To help combat the mosquito spread of the virus in the Mountain House area, vector control officials will be ground spraying on Tuesday, Sept. 4 from 7:30 p.m. to midnight.

The spraying will be done in the areas between Byron Road, Great Valley Parkway, Mascot Boulevard and Mountain House Parkway using Evergreen 60-6, and/or Pyronyl 525. If weather is an issue, officials will spray on Wednesday, Sept. 5 during the same times.

Reports of West Nile virus in California are more than double that of last year, according to San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District spokesman Aaron Devencenzi.

“Based on several factors, the potential risk of being exposed to West Nile is higher this year compared to previous years,” Devencenzi stated in an Aug. 30 press release. “A mild winter and early heat allowed the virus to amplify for a longer period, resulting in an elevated risk to people.”

According to vector control documented West Nile virus data for the state of California through Aug.30, there have been 44 human cases this year, as opposed to 27 in 2011; eight horses compared to one last year; 938 dead birds compared to 302 in 2011; and 1,629 mosquitoes positive for the virus which is 601 more cases than last year.

Vector control officials first reported the virus in San Joaquin County on May 17, when two dead birds, a raven and a yellow-headed black bird, tested positive in Manteca. Vector control district manager, John Stroh, said this finding was an early indication of where positive mosquito samples may also be found and where human cases may develop later in the season.

Officials were unavailable for comment on Monday, Sept. 3.

For more information go to www.sjmosquito.org.

• Contact Denise E. Rizzo at 830-4225 or drizzo@tracypress.com