County seeks applicants for Mosquito Board

Flathead County has established a Sept. 9 deadline for letters of interest from residents wanting to serving on the new Mosquito Control District Board.

County health officer Joe Russell said the county will publish a legal notice Sunday, Aug. 28, and Wednesday, Aug. 31, inviting people to submit their names for consideration for appointment by the Flathead County commissioners.

Russell, who worked with commissioners on the new district, said the board must have at least five members.

"We've had some very good people who want to participate," Russell said.

He suggested that applicants include in their letters why they want to participate. Any other relevant information would help commissioners as they compare qualifications.

"I think there's going to be a fairly good number (of letters of interest)," Russell said.

He said board appointments represent the first step in creating the countywide mosquito control district. It replaces two smaller districts in Kalispell-Evergreen and Somers.

When the board convenes, Russell said members will consider draft bylaws from the County Attorney's Office. They will also work on an interlocal agreement with the county Health Board to delineate responsibilities.

Russell anticipates that the Health Board will help with assessing disease risk posed by mosquitoes.

"It's just a good fit," Russell said.

The threat of West Nile virus prompted the push for more-effective mosquito control as provided by a countywide district. Montana has had two human cases of the potentially deadly virus this summer.

A woman in her 30s was diagnosed Aug. 15 in Billings. She had a fever but did not require hospitalization.

The second case of West Nile infection was found Aug. 18 in a man in his 70s who lives in Custer County. The man was hospitalized in serious condition with meningitis-encephalitis.

Closer to Flathead County, a horse was diagnosed with West Nile virus in Teton County. Two other horses came down with the disease in Valley and Blaine counties.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.