Union County Vector Control

08/24/2026

Additional West Nile virus detected in mosquitoes in Union County

Union County, Ore.—The Union County Vector Control District (UCVCD) reports that two more mosquito pools have tested positive for West Nile virus. This brings the total number of positive pools in Union County to three this season.
All affected pools were collected in Union along Catherine Creek, west of 10th Street near flood-irrigated land. Vector Control personnel are continuing local surveillance and treatments where accessible, and urge residents in the surrounding area to take heightened precautions against mosquito bites.
Health officials note that West Nile virus activity is not unique to Union County; positive mosquito pools and human cases have also been reported across neighboring areas of Oregon and the wider Pacific Northwest. With the Labor Day holiday weekend approaching, UCVCD and Oregon Health Authority urges anyone traveling, camping, or spending time outdoors across the region to stay vigilant. Protect yourself and your family by applying EPA-registered insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants during peak mosquito hours at dusk and dawn, and ensuring camping gear and screens are properly sealed.

People in Union County need to take precautions against mosquitoes to avoid the risk of infection, including preventing mosquito bites. The incubation period is usually two to 14 days. People infected may develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Most people with febrile illness due to West Nile virus recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months. It is important that you contact your health care provider if you experience any of these symptoms. Rarely, infected individuals may develop neuro-invasive disease (infection of the brain or spinal cord) that can be severe or may cause death. This is especially of concern to people 50 and older, people with immune-compromising conditions, and people with diabetes or high blood pressure. Please consult your health care provider if you develop any of the symptoms described
above. Testing for West Nile virus (WNv) is available through commercial laboratories.

Communities and individuals living in or spending significant time outdoors, particularly near irrigated land, waterways, standing water, and used tires—including those working in agriculture, such as migrant and seasonal farm workers—may be at increased risk of mosquito bites and related diseases.

Wildlife and livestock can also be affected by WNv. Please contact your veterinarian for assistance in diagnosis and testing.

“Although mosquitoes are an inevitable part of summer, mosquito bites don’t have to be—they are preventable,” said Emilio DeBess, Public Health Veterinarian for the State of Oregon. “You can take simple steps to protect yourself and reduce the risk of contracting West Nile disease.”

Tips for protecting yourself against mosquitoes:

● Eliminate sources of standing water that are a breeding ground for mosquitoes, including watering troughs, bird baths, ornamental ponds, buckets, wading and swimming pools not in use, and old tires.
● During outdoor activities at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active, protect yourself by using repellents that contain DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or Picaridin, and always follow the product directions.
● Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants in mosquito-infested areas.
● Make sure screen doors and windows are in good repair and fit tightly.

Additional information about West Nile virus:

Oregon Health Authority website: http://public.health.oregon.gov/DiseasesConditions/DiseasesAZ/WestNileVirus/Pages/survey.aspx

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/ index.htm

West Nile virus activity in Oregon - cases by county by year

08/12/2026

West Nile virus detected in mosquitoes in Union County

Union County, Ore.—West Nile virus, which is spread by mosquitoes, has been detected in mosquitoes at a site in Union County, Ore., according to Oregon Health Authority and Oregon State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

The mosquitoes, found along Catherine Creek in the city of Union, are the first to test positive for the disease in Union County this year.

People in Union County need to take precautions against mosquitoes to avoid the risk of infection, including preventing mosquito bites. The incubation period is usually two to 14 days. People infected may develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Most people with febrile illness due to West Nile virus recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months. It is important that you contact your health care provider if you experience any of these symptoms. Rarely, infected individuals may develop neuro-invasive disease (infection of the brain or spinal cord) that can be severe or may cause death. This is especially of concern to people 50 and older, people with immune-compromising conditions, and people with diabetes or high blood pressure. Please consult your health care provider if you develop any of the symptoms described
above. Testing for West Nile virus is available through commercial laboratories.

Communities and individuals living in or spending significant time outdoors, particularly near irrigated land, waterways, standing water, and used tires—including those working in agriculture, such as migrant and seasonal farm workers—may be at increased risk of mosquito bites and related diseases.

Wildlife and livestock can also be affected by WNv. Please contact your veterinarian for assistance in diagnosis and testing.

“Although mosquitoes are an inevitable part of summer, mosquito bites don’t have to be—they are preventable,” said Emilio DeBess. “You can take simple steps to protect yourself and reduce the risk of contracting West Nile disease.”

Tips for protecting yourself against mosquitoes:

Eliminate sources of standing water that are a breeding ground for mosquitoes, including watering troughs, bird baths, ornamental ponds, buckets, wading and swimming pools not in use, and old tires.
During outdoor activities at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active, protect yourself by using repellents that contain DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or Picaridin, and always follow the product directions.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants in mosquito-infested areas.
Make sure screen doors and windows are in good repair and fit tightly.

Additional information about West Nile virus:

Oregon Health Authority website: http://public.health.oregon.gov/DiseasesConditions/DiseasesAZ/WestNileVirus/Pages/survey.aspx

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/ index.htm

07/21/2026

We will be fogging in Imbler, east of the highway, tonight from 9-11 pm. If you will be in the area, please have sprinklers turned off and remain inside with doors and windows closed.

06/23/2026

Union County Vector Control is accepting sealed bids for five (5) smoke-damaged pickup trucks. These vehicles were exposed to a recent structure fire and have sustained heavy smoke and soot damage. They are being sold strictly "AS-IS, WHERE-IS" with no warranties. This is a fantastic opportunity for mechanics, rebuilders, or parts buyers!

How to View & Bid:

Location: Vehicles are parked on the front edge of our property for public viewing at: 62156 Landmark Lane, in La Grande.

Viewing Hours: Drive by or walk up anytime between now and July 10th. (Vehicles will remain locked and cannot be started during viewing).

Official bid forms are available at 1106 K Ave., in La Grande, or at www.ucvcd.com. Instructions to submit the bid is on the form.

Auction Timeline:

Bidding Closes: July 10th at 4:30 pm.

Winner Notification: Bids will be opened and reviewed by our Board of Directors. The highest bidder for each vehicle will be contacted by July 15th to arrange payment (Cash/Certified Funds) and pickup.

Note: Please do not message this account with individual cash offers. To be considered, all bids must be submitted via a physical, sealed envelope using our official form by the deadline.

03/23/2026

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
Update on Union County Vector Control District Operations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Union County Vector Control District (UCVCD) is providing this update to inform our residents of our current operational status following the devastating structure fire at our main facility.

The fire resulted in the total loss of nearly all District assets, including our specialized trucks, spray equipment, product inventory, and essential supplies. While we have been working tirelessly with insurance providers and contractors to rebuild, the road to recovery has presented significant logistical hurdles.

Our Path Forward: Despite these challenges, our commitment to public health remains our top priority.

We are currently:
Establishing a Temporary Base: We are in the process of setting up operations at a temporary location to ensure we have a presence in the community this spring.
Rebuilding Our Fleet: We are working urgently to source and replace the specialized equipment and vehicles required for effective vector control.
Prioritizing Services: Due to the loss of equipment, UCVCD will initially be operating at a limited capacity.

A Request for Community Patience As we head into the upcoming mosquito season, we ask for your grace and patience. You may notice a change in our response times or a shift in how we traditionally provide services while we wait for new equipment to arrive.

We are doing everything in our power to restore full service as quickly as possible. We remain dedicated to protecting Union County and will continue to provide updates as our capacity grows.

Contact Information For urgent concerns or questions regarding mosquito control in your area, please contact:
Phone: 541-963-2974
Thank you for your continued support as we rebuild to serve you better.