Vector control updates: North Willow district reports on West Nile and river flooding; commissioners appoint replacements to North Morrow board

The Morrow County commissioners heard a detailed annual report from the North Willow/North Morrow vector control districts on mosquito activity, West Nile virus testing, and challenges related to river water-level management, then approved two appointments to the North Morrow Vector Control District board.

Greg (last name not given), speaking for North Willow Vector Control, said his district found three West Nile–positive mosquito pools during the 2024 season and conducted multiple adulticide treatments on federal refuge land after coordinating with the refuge manager and county health officials. “We were allowed to go ahead and go on to the federal refuge. So we did, we treated, we went out and sprayed and we did that 3 times because the virus showed up 3 times during the summer,” Greg said.

Greg described repeated spring and fall increases in biting (Aedes) mosquitoes linked to higher water levels in the John Day Pool; he said raised reservoir levels on the Washington side of the Columbia River allow mosquito breeding in areas without routine control, then the insects blow or fly across the river to Morrow County communities. He said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has allowed adulticide treatments on its refuge in recent years but will not provide funding; the district is seeking ways to coordinate applications that would reduce cross-river mosquito pressure.

Greg also reported the district has been expanding operational capacity (adding a fourth ground fogger) and pursuing drone and fixed‑wing aircraft authorizations as contingency options if helicopter contractors are not available. He said the district’s recently passed local option levy supports aviation-based responses when West Nile virus risk rises.

On board appointments, commissioners appointed Jake Case to fill the remainder of a term for one position previously held by the late Lynn Greer and reappointed Smokey Joe Whiteman for another four-year term. The board motion to appoint Case and Whiteman passed on a voice vote.

The commissioners did not record a roll-call tally for the appointments; minutes show routine consent and approval language.

Greg’s presentation underscored interagency coordination challenges — including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ reservoir operations, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service restrictions, and limited resident population on the Washington side — that complicate regional mosquito control efforts.