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Posted: Wednesday, 18 July 2007 4:16PM
East Bay Home Foreclosures Pose West Nile Risk
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SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- Contra Costa County residents who live near homes going through foreclosure are at higher risk for West Nile Virus exposure, according to the county’s Mosquito and Vector Control District.
Deborah Bass with the District said people under financial distress because of foreclosures are more likely to abandon or neglect properties. Mosquitoes can easily take over prime breeding grounds, like swimming pools.
"In Contra Costa County for example, there are 10,000 homes that are in some sort of foreclosure process," said Bass. "We can put a lien on the property. We are a public health agency and breeding mosquitoes that can transmit West Nile Virus is a health risk."
Last year there were two deaths from West Nile Virus in Contra Costa County.
(RdD)
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Copyright 2007, KCBS. All Rights Reserved.
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