WNV crisis prompts Governor to issue state of emergency

Last Update: Aug 2, 2007 1:09 AM

Posted By: Megan Trihey
Posted 8/2/07

BAKERSFIELD - The number of human West Nile Virus cases is on the rise in Kern County, but help is on the way.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger plans to declare a state of emergency Wednesday for Kern and two other counties.

Sen. Dean Florez (D-Shafter) sent a letter to the governor asking for help and some emergency funding to fight the bite.

Wednesday, Florez said he’s pleased the money is on the way.

Hot weather and standing water are pushing Kern County’s cases of West Nile Virus way up.

With 38 human cases and two deaths locally from West Nile, Kern County has the highest numbers in the state.

Florez said it’s about time something substantial is done to stop it.

"We need the governor to come in and provide the monies necessary to make sure we can combat this, because as we know, West Nile Virus gets much tougher in August,” he said.

Florez asked the governor to allocate at least $48 million to help fight the bite.

The governor said he will make the money available to Kern, Colusa, and San Joaquin Counties, which are the only counties that have reported deaths from West Nile.

The money will fund West Nile prevention programs and provide more resources to local mosquito control.

"He [the governor] did not put the money necessary to fight West Nile last year,” said Florez. “The $12 million was not enough, and the vector control folks have recognized the only way to beat it is in the winter months, and we didn't do the work and now we are paying the consequences.”

The governor’s emergency declaration means Kern County and the others will get money right away to combat West Nile Virus.

Florez plans to hold a news conference Wednesday to unveil more details about where the money will be allocated.

In the meantime, a spokesperson for the Governor’s Office said Schwarzenegger decided to declare the state of emergency because of the recent West Nile deaths and increased activity.

http://www.kget.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=367df9e6-e138-4cba-9661-fd218238c01f