A summit to discuss West Nile virus and mosquito control will be held March 28 in Aberdeen, S.D. The summit will be at the Aberdeen Recreation and Cultural Center at 225 3rd Ave. S.E.

The North Dakota State University Extension Service is one of the sponsors of the event.

“Seven years of research and fighting West Nile virus in the Dakotas has given us a wealth of knowledge about the disease and the mosquitoes that carry it,” says Janet Knodel, NDSU Extension Service entomologist and an organizer of the summit.

Those attending will learn more about:

• The status of West Nile virus in the Dakotas and the U.S.
• Understanding of the mosquito vectors
• The effects of West Nile virus on individuals and communities
• Community mosquito control and management
• Community mosquito control and management during and after a disaster
• Grant opportunities for mosquito control

“City, county and tribal government officials, along with employees involved in mosquito control, should attend the conference,” Knodel says.

Among the featured speakers is Wayne Kramer, Louisiana State University Entomology Department associate professor.

There is no registration fee for the summit. For more information or to register, contact Becky Osbourn at (800) 592-1861.

Other sponsors of the summit include the South Dakota Department of Health, South Dakota State University, SDSU Extension Service, South Dakota Department of Agriculture and South Dakota Public Health Association.

NDSU Agriculture Communication