SACRAMENTO – To help Californians protect themselves from the mosquito-borne West Nile virus,
the Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California (MVCAC) today launched a statewide public service announcement (PSA) campaign featuring actress Lindsay Wagner – television’s “Bionic Woman.”

In TV and radio PSAs, Wagner urges Californians to “fight the bite” and West Nile virus by dumping standing water so mosquitoes can’t breed and spread the disease. She also urges viewers and listeners to call their local mosquito control agency for more information or to report problems.

“These PSAs let Californians know what they can do to combat the West Nile threat,” said Deborah Bass, Chair of MVCAC’s Public Relations Committee. “Our local mosquito control agencies are hard at work protecting public health, but the proposed state budget cuts our funding by 25 percent this year and next.

Like never before, we need residents to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds and contact their mosquito district when they have mosquito problems or questions.”

To date, there have been 11 human cases of West Nile virus – but not fatalities -- in California this year. The virus is expected to become a very serious health threat in the state as mosquito season heats up this summer. In 2003, the virus killed 264 people and sickened nearly ten thousand others in the United States.

MVCAC represents 55 agencies throughout the state responsible for mosquito abatement, surveillance programs to detect West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases, and public education to help Californians protect themselves from diseases.