Show Encephalitis threat over for 1977 The threat of any major occurrence of Western equine encephalitis In Uintah County is over for the 1977 mosquito season states Dr Steve Romney Director of oC the Uintah County Mosquito Abatement District Numerous confirmed cases of oC that viral disease in horses have been reported from Crom neighboring states and and In Utah single confirmed cases have to date dale occurred In Washington and Cache Counties Coun ties While several other suspect cases of oC Western equine encephalitis in horses have been reported in Utah this season no confirmed cases have been reported in humans TIlE THE VECTOR of oC the disease in Utah and neighboring states is the very common mosquito This parasite Isan is isan isan an aggressive night time biter of humans and other warm warm- blooded animals and often enters dwellings for Cor a blood meal The viral agent which causes the disease is harbored in a variety of oC local bird populations-pigeons populations certain song birds chickens etc and is transferred via the bit of oC Cui ex to horses other equines and humans Our seasonal light trap surveillance and bite count census of and other Uintah County mosquito species have been extremely helpful in determining the relative abundance and distribution of oC the encephalitis 1 mosquito to and thus its potential for Cor disease transmission at any given time of oC the season states Dr Romney As of oC September 30 the Uintah County populations of oC were sufficiently reduced to bar any significant chance of oC serious disease transmission this year Dr Romney notes notes notes' that the potential summer abundance of and Its consequent consequent con con- sequent pest and disease threat is due in large part to the fact that the aquatic larvae of that parasite are capable of developing within a tremendous variety of oC man made and natural habitat types including ditches and drains marshes watering troughs pooled water from Crom flood irrigation even hoof prints etc AS WITH other Utah mosquito abatement districts the Uintah County abatement is actively participating in an encephalitis surveillance program in addition to maintaining main main- maintaining regular contact with health officials and personnel involved in studies dealing with mosquitoes and other insects of oC medical and economic importance im im- Dr Romney notes that locally Vernal veterinarians Dr Ed and Dr Doug Murphy have been extremely helpful in reporting suspected cases of oC encephalitis in horses and in drawing blood samples from those animals for Cor laboratory tests for Cor the presence of oC the disease Two such samples are currently being tested For the 1977 mosquito season several thousand acres of oC prime mosquito producing habitat were treated by Uintah County abatement personnel using Environmental Protection Agency approved techniques and materials including applications applications applications ap ap- ap- ap by aircraft surface application using truck truck- mounted fogging Cogging and spraying devices and hand application employing conventional apparatus apparatus ap ape ap- ap and modes of oC |