Mosquito fish battling West Nile in New Orleans pools

In an effort to help rebuild the hurricane-torn city of New Orleans, city officials have launched an operation to eliminate mosquitoes infesting backyard swimming pools in the area.

New Orleans Mosquito and Termite Control Board (NOMTCB) officials say the pools are becoming an increasing health hazard, as they suspect some of the mosquitoes carry the West Nile virus.

Using real-estate databases, aerial photography, and old-fashioned legwork, NOMTCB team members found about 5,000 at-risk pools in the city.

To make these pools safe, the relief workers brought in a fish that's known for devouring the little pests.

Scores of Gambusia, a type of western mosquito fish, were released into pools to consume mosquito larvae.

The fish ate up to 100 larvae a day, according to officials.

City officials also say the Gambusia have survived the extreme pool conditions, despite waters filled with pollution, algae, and dead animals left over from Hurricane Katrina.

The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) enlisted Operation Blessing International (OBI) to help with the operation.

The organization aided the people of Sri Lanka in their battle with mosquitoes after the Boxing Day tsunami of 2004.

OBI is now providing and transporting Gambusia to infected sites around New Orleans.

On the first day of the operation, seven teams from OBI treated more than 200 pools.

The fish have since been released in a total 940 pools since the operation began.

Photography: Cornell University

Source: Discovery Channel Reports, July 26 edition