Fresno Vows to Help Control Spread of West Nile Virus

08/01/2007 (KFSN) -- The West Nile Virus has killed two more people in California. The announcement from the State Health Department came the same day the City of Fresno vowed to prevent the spread of the disease.

Tuesday, the Fresno City Council voted to develop a plan that would give them more power to clean up unmaintained pools. City leaders say vacant homes with pools that are no longer being maintained can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Abatement officials say there are more abandoned pools because of the increase in foreclosures.

Dave Farley, Fresno Mosquito and Vector Control District, says, "We're finding new pools everyday in these houses where people have had to leave and no one is taking care of the pool. It's a sad statement on today's economy."

Officials with the Fresno Mosquito and Vector Control District are urging people to report abandoned or neglected swimming pools. They say you can do so anonymously.

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