VIRGINIA BRIEFING

ARLINGTON MOSQUITO CONTROL

West Nile Carriers Found in More Locations

Mosquitoes from Arlington County's Rock Spring Park, its sewage treatment plant and the intersection of Interstate 66 and North Fairfax Drive have tested positive for West Nile virus, health officials said yesterday.

The virus was previously found in mosquitoes from Bluemont Park, Barcroft Park, Glen Carlyn Park and South Cleveland Street, officials said.

"We continue to encourage Arlington residents to reduce exposure to mosquitoes by wearing long sleeves and pants, limiting outdoor activities at dawn or dusk, and using insect repellent for outdoor activities," Richard Cole, chief of the environmental health bureau, said in a statement. "We also encourage residents to eliminate all sources of water that can sustain mosquito breeding in their backyard."

Places where mosquitoes can breed include such water-holding objects as birdbaths, flowerpots, tires, children's toys and wading pools, according to the county. The county also advises residents to repair or replace door and window screens that have tears and to keep grass and shrubs trimmed.

virginia tech

Two Monoxide-Poisoned Students Improve

The condition of two Virginia Tech students hospitalized in Charlottesville for carbon monoxide poisoning has improved, a spokeswoman for the University of Virginia Medical Center said yesterday.

Kristin L. Julia, 19, of Ashburn was listed in serious condition after she became critically ill in the poisoning incident Sunday in an off-campus apartment complex in Blacksburg, said Mary Jane Gore, the hospital spokeswoman.

The condition of Kirsten W. Halik, 19, of Vienna was upgraded to fair from serious, Gore said.

Three students treated for carbon monoxide poisoning at Duke University Medical Center remained in good condition, the hospital in Durham, N.C., reported.

-- Amy Orndorff