West Nile virus surveillance in Naval Air Facility El Centro

There has been limited surveillance in Imperial County since West Nile Virus was established in California. WNV surveillance program was started in Naval Air Field El Centro (NAFEC) on summer 2008 to determine the source and make-up of the mosquito populations. The program has collected thousands of mosquitoes during the season. Agriculture is present within the perimeter of NAFEC, unusual for military installation. This paper explores how, agriculture may play a role in maintaining mosquito populations in NAFEC and presenting WNV risk to military personnel, their dependents, civilians, and retirees.