A new article from the San Francisco Chronicle is sounding the alarm: thanks to a mild winter, warm stretches in February and March, and a rainy spring, mosquito breeding is ramping up ahead of schedule across the Bay Area. This means heightened risk for West Nile virus — California’s primary mosquito-borne disease — which can cause mild flu-like symptoms in most people but lead to severe neurological issues or even death in rare cases.
Of particular concern is the continued spread of the invasive Aedes aegypti (yellow fever mosquito). Once largely pushed out of California, this aggressive “ankle-biter” has re-established itself in Southern California over the past 15 years and is now confirmed in 28 counties, including Contra Costa, Santa Clara, Alameda, and Solano in the Bay Area. It can transmit dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever — diseases we work hard to keep out of our communities.
At the Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California (MVCAC), our 60+ member districts are already intensifying surveillance, larval control, and public outreach to stay ahead of the season. From trapping and testing to targeted treatments, our professionals are on the front lines protecting public health.
What YOU can do right now to help:
- Tip and Toss — Empty, cover, or discard any containers holding standing water (even bottle caps and plant saucers!)
- Use EPA-approved repellents and wear long sleeves/pants at dawn and dusk
- Report dead birds to your local vector control district — they’re key sentinels for West Nile virus
Read the full story here: https://www.sfchronicle.com/health/article/mosquito-yellow-fever-west-nile-22235476.php
California’s vector control districts are stronger when communities partner with us. Let’s keep our neighborhoods mosquito-free and disease-free this season!