HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment will be spraying sometime in the near future to get rid of the numerous mosquitoes in Reno County.

Officials gave a presentation over the surveillance of the mosquito population, which they do every year along with the Reno County Health Department and the Kansas Biological Survey at the University of Kansas.

Over the last three weeks, the number of Culex species of mosquitoes, the primary West Nile virus carrier in Kansas, has reached unprecedented numbers, due in part, to the recent flooding. There were more than 5,700 female Culex mosquitoes collected on June 25 from five traps in the county.

After consultation with the entomologist at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, they recommended the use of adulticide spraying to rapidly reduce the large number. KDHE says there is funding for a one-time application and plans to use aerial spraying. Officials plan to use a twin-engine aircraft flying at an altitude of approximately 300 feet to conduct the aerial application.

The Reno County Commission will take up and possibly approve a memorandum of understanding for this aerial spraying when it meets Tuesday. This will also be signed by city officials and the secretary of KDHE.