The Bakersfield Californian | Monday, Sep 10 2007 9:40 PM
Last Updated: Monday, Sep 10 2007 9:44 PM
Last month's emergency $10 million allocation to fight West Nile virus now has a broader scope of actions for which the funds can be applied.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Monday expanded uses for the money to include public education, outreach to the medical community and aggressive surveillance of high risk areas by the California Department of Public Health, according to a news statement.
"Protecting public safety is government's top job," Schwarzenegger said. "That's why I'm committed to ensuring our local agencies have all the tools they need to fight this deadly mosquito-borne disease."
On Aug. 2 in Bakersfield, Schwarzenegger declared a State of Emergency in Kern, Colusa and San Joaquin counties and ordered the funding, which pays for vector control agencies to identify mosquito habitat, treat areas and conduct surveillance and warning operations, the statement said.
Nearly $4.5 million has been distributed to 35 counties. Infections this year are three times higher than the same time last year. In California there have been 10 deaths and 198 cases in 24 counties.
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