Lloyd Douglass, manager of the East Side Mosquito Abatement District, stated that district personnel will begin ground spraying a total of 5883 acres of land in residential Modesto over a four-day period beginning August 15. The ground spraying will occur by predetermined zone on August 15, 16, 17 and 18.

A map of the spray zones is attached to this release.

The decision to do the major ground spraying is a result of the number of mosquitoes, dead birds and human cases of West Nile virus in these affected areas. If the ground spraying is not successful, there is a high probability that aerial spraying may need to occur. The mosquito district is using new and advanced ground spraying equipment that is radar guided and very precise. This new equipment was recently purchased with additional funding released by the State of California to help fund the battle against West Nile virus.

For questions on the mosquito spraying in Modesto, the public can call (209) 522-4098 and for maps of the spray zones, the public can log onto www.hsahealth.org.