From the Record Searchlight
July 29, 2019

A mosquito sample collected in the Cottonwood area has tested positive for the West Nile virus, the Shasta Mosquito and Vector Control District reported Monday morning.

“Although this is our first indication of West Nile virus activity, we know it is endemic in Shasta County and will be a concern every year,” Shasta Mosquito and Vector Control District Manager Peter Bonkrude said in a news release.

The sample was taken in west Cottonwood.

Bonkrude said as warmer temperatures persist, the increase risk for transmitting the virus will continue.

The Shasta Mosquito and Vector Control District reminds residents to take precautions to decrease the risk by draining any standing water that may produce mosquitoes, avoid outside activities at dusk or dawn, and dress in long-sleeves and pants when mosquitoes are active.

Also, defend yourself and your home by using insect repellent, and making sure that screens on doors and windows are in good condition.

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From News Medical Life Sciences
July 28, 2019

Tel Aviv scientists have discovered certain genes that protect the host organism against attack by Zika virus, raising hopes of an eventual vaccine or cure for this dreaded viral disease.

The Zika virus, which is rampant in South America, can cause severe damage especially to unborn babies, including fetal death or stillbirth, or serious birth defects which are collectively called the congenital Zika syndrome. This includes such issues as a significant and crippling reduction in head size (microcephaly), neurological anomalies, and retarded development. Over 60 million people have been affected so far by this insect-borne virus, which can also cause the paralyzing disease Guillain-Barre syndrome and other nerve illnesses. However, scientists have not come up with a vaccine or cure for this devastating disease.

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From Forester Media
July 26, 2019

This piece is an abridged version of a feature article by the author that appeared in the Spring 2019 issue of Wing Beats magazine, an official publication of the American Mosquito Control Association.

In August 2012, I investigated a catch basin in the City of San Leandro, CA, that I had inspected for mosquito production many times before. To my surprise, I saw a metal screened box bolted to the wall of the basin covering the outlet pipe. I walked to another catch basin and there was another one, and then another. What were these things, and why were they there?

Trash capture devices (TCD) are installed in catch basins to prevent trash from flowing into creeks, canals, and bays. These devices are a byproduct of the federal Clean Water Act and similar state regulations. Trash capture is a prominent issue in the San Francisco Bay Area as the region set ambitious goals to reduce trash entering waterways, and by 2030 the mandate will be fully implemented statewide in California.

While TCDs come in many shapes, configurations, and designs to maximize trash capture performance, an unintended and problematic consequence is that many pose substantial problems for inspecting and treating catch basins for mosquito larvae without completely dismantling the device. With tens of thousands of catch basins in Alameda County that need to be inspected and treated several times in a season, we quickly realized the profound impact TCDs would have on our ability to control mosquitoes and protect public health.

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From the Turlock Journal
July 26, 2019

Health officials reported Wednesday that an area woman diagnosed with a neuroinvasive form of West Nile Virus is the first confirmed human case of the disease in Stanislaus County this season.

The first mosquitoes of the season tested positive for West Nile virus on July 9, the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency reported.

The California Department of Public Health has found West Nile Virus in 21 counties in the state, including two human cases, which does not take into count the recent diagnosis for the Stanislaus County woman. The state has seen one death from the virus this year.

Mosquitoes become infected with West Nile Virus when they feed on infected birds. Infected mosquitoes can then spread West Nile Virus to humans and other animals when they bite, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Approximately 1 in 5 people who are infected with West Nile virus will develop symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Less than 1 percent will develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis (inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues). About 10 percent of people who develop neurologic infection due to West Nile virus will die, according to the CDC.  People over 50 years of age and those with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and organ transplants, are at greater risk for serious illness.

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From the Sacramento Bee
July 26, 2019

West Nile virus has been detected in Sutter County for the first time so far in 2019, in one human patient as well as in mosquito samples, the Sutter-Yuba Mosquito and Vector Control District said Friday.

The Sutter County Health Department reported an asymptomatic human had tested positive for West Nile virus, the vector control district said in a news release. Recent mosquito samples west of Yuba City also tested positive, the release said.

The district warns mosquito populations may increase with high temperatures, which are incoming this weekend.

Any resident who sees a dead bird should report it to the state Department of Public Health, at www.westnile.ca.gov.

From Science Daily
July 25, 2019

A new Tel Aviv University study uses a genetic screen to identify genes that protect cells from Zika viral infection. The research, led by Dr. Ella H. Sklan of TAU’s Sackler School of Medicine, was published in the Journal of Virology on May 29. It may one day lead to the development of a treatment for the Zika virus and other infections.

The study was based on a modification of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technique. CRISPR-Cas9 is a naturally occurring bacterial genome editing system that has been adapted to gene editing in mammalian cells. The system is based on the bacterial enzyme Cas9, which can locate and modify specific locations along the human genome. A modification of this system, known as CRISPR activation, is accomplished by genetically changing Cas9 in a way that enables the expression of specific genes in their original DNA locations.

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From the East Bay Times
July 24, 2019

In the past year, California has experienced multiple public health crises. Last October, San Diego County health authorities declared an end to a Hepatitis A outbreak that killed 20 people and sickened nearly 600. That same month, health officials warned the public of a typhus outbreak in downtown Los Angeles. And now public health departments across the state are scrambling to prevent a widespread outbreak of measles.

But when most people think about mosquitoes, they consider them nuisances that cause itchy bites. They don’t think about the public health risk and potential for mosquito-borne disease transmission. However, the threat of mosquito-borne diseases, especially West Nile virus, is also very serious and must be a public-health priority.

That’s why I’m advocating for more state funding to support vector-borne-disease research, surveillance and data collection. It’s critical that mosquito- and vector-control professionals and public health officials have resources they need to track and predict the emergence of mosquito-borne diseases and efficiently respond.

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From Merced Sun-Star
July 24, 2019

Stanislaus County health officials have reported a serious case of west Nile illness as prime conditions for the virus create a threat to the public.

The patient was only identified as a female in the news release Wednesday from the county Health Services Agency.

She was diagnosed with the potentially deadly neuroinvasive disease, which can result in long-term disabilities.

From KESQ
July 24, 2019

INDIO, Calif. – With monsoonal moisture comes unwanted pests. Mosquitoes carrying deadly viruses could be lurking around your backyard.

News Channel 3’s Caitlin Thropay spoke with Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District to find out how you can beat the bite.

Three steps they recommended are to, “dump it, drain it and scrub it clean.” If you have any “kiddy” pools, tires lying around, bird baths, flower pots, plant saucers or anything that holds still water in it, you need to follow these simple steps. 

“This is a really unprecedented year for West Nile Virus activity in the Coachella Valley and it’s also been a pretty productive year for mosquitoes because of the weather we have been having all year,” General Manager of Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District, Jeremy Wittie told News Channel 3. 

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From The Monroe News
July 23, 2019

Have you ever been bothered by mosquitoes or other flying insects while enjoying quiet time on your deck or patio?

Have you ever been bothered by mosquitoes or other flying insects while enjoying quiet time on your deck or patio?

If so, let me introduce you to a tree swallow family.

These colorful, high flying, acrobatic creatures may be an answer to enjoying that quiet time on your deck or patio and with added entertainment. During an average day, adult tree swallows soar, swoop, and dive to consume about 2,000 flying insects.

Multiply that by two, a male and female, and four to seven nestlings, you can see how this might improve your outdoor enjoyment.

How can you enjoy these beautiful active birds?

After a one to two-month migration north from California, Mexico and Central America, tree swallows find their way to our area.

They are cavity nesters but are unable to dig their own nest cavities. When planning to start their family, they look for an old woodpecker hole or a cavity in a dead tree or a bluebird nesting box. They nest in a cavity with the same size entrance as the eastern bluebird.

I have two bluebird boxes in my backyard, one used by bluebirds and one used by tree swallows, 75 feet apart and facing each other.

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From NBC Los Angeles
July 20, 2019

It’s that time of year again: it’s time for barbecuing, basking in the sun, and of course, fending off annoying bites from mosquitoes. 

What’s worse, in Southern California, is the presence of an aggressive ankle-biter mosquito that will bite multiple times, and doesn’t wait for dusk — they’ll attack right in the middle of the day, or even inside your house. That’s atypical mosquito behavior, at least for the kinds that are native to Southern California. 

If you’ve noticed you’ve suddenly been bitten multiple times around your ankles, you were likely victim to the Aedes mosquito, which officials believe arrived on a container ship from Asia. It’s an invasive species, meaning not native to Southern California, and fueled by bloodlust (basically). And they have the potential to carry harmful diseases, like in the case of one 74-year-old Imperial County man who died after contracting West Nile virus, which was the first person to die of the virus in California in 2019. 

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From The Times
July 19, 2019

From Fox LA
July 19, 2019

LONG BEACH, Calif. (FOX 11) – Mosquitoes collected in Long Beach have tested positive for West Nile virus. It’s the first detection of the virus this year in the county, the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District announced Friday. 

“West Nile virus is endemic in Los Angeles County. When temperatures increase, so do mosquito populations and disease risk, which pose a serious public health threat for our communities,” said Susanne Kluh, director of scientific-technical services at the district.

According to the district, West Nile virus activity has been increasing steadily throughout California this year.

West Nile is transmitted to people and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms from contracting the disease can include fever, headache, body aches, nausea or a skin rash, according to the department. The symptoms can last for several days to months.

“Our agency will continue monitoring virus activity and controlling mosquitoes in affected areas,” said Anais Medina Diaz, public information officer for the district. “But it is very important residents take precautions in their own communities by wearing insect repellent and frequently removing standing water to eliminate mosquito sources.”

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From KCRA 3
July 19, 2019

The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District said it’s received several calls from neighbors concerned about the mosquito population.

Jax, 9, was playing soccer Tuesday when the mosquitoes started going after him.

“These mosquitoes were going by my shin guard and my socks,” Jax said, pointing to the back of his leg. “Then one by one, they kept coming towards me.”

The bites started swelling and his skin turned red. His mom blamed the mosquitoes for the problem and took her son the doctor the next day.

“It was blistering, and (the doctor) didn’t want it to pop or anything,” his mother Jennifer said. “(The doctor) said to just air it out. She gave us some antibiotics to take and then some ointment for his legs.”

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From Baby Center
July 18, 2019

Tick-borne diseases, in particular, have skyrocketed in the past few years. Thankfully, there are a number of steps you can take to lower the risk of bug bites. These include:

1. Wear repellent: Use EPA-registered insect repellent if you’re in an area with mosquitos or ticks. Check to make sure that the repellents you use are safe for your child.
2. Avoid tick habitats: Wooded areas, leaf-covered ground, and places with tall grass are popular with these blood-sucking insects. If you do venture into these locations, wear long pants and check your body and clothing for ticks afterward, and take a shower. Regularly check for ticks on your pets as well.
3. Wear loose, long-sleeved clothing: Light-colored, tightly woven clothing that covers the arms and legs can help protect you and your children from mosquito bites.
4. Use screen doors and windows: Repair any tears in your screens at home, and stay in lodgings that have screens or air conditioning to keep mosquitos at bay.
5. Control bugs around your home: Empty all containers of water, such as buckets and birdbaths, so they don’t become a breeding ground for mosquitos. Remove leaf litter and clear tall grasses and brush around homes and children’s play areas to help reduce tick populations.
6. International travelers should be especially alert to bug-borne disease risks in their destination country and take appropriate safety measures. You can use this interactive search tool to check for health warnings by country, courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It includes search options specific to pregnant women and families traveling with kids.

Of course, the above suggestions are no guarantee against a bite. And no one is immune. Americans from every state have contracted illnesses from bug bites. 

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From the International Business Times
July 17, 2019

he officials of Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District in Fresno County, California, have alerted people in the region about a possible spread of West Nile Virus.

The officials found 46 Culex mosquitoes carrying potentially serious viruses. While 43 of the dangerous mosquitoes carried West Nile virus, the rest of them had St. Louis encephalitis.

“Every year it’s here, so even though we do surveillance, we’re always collecting West Nile virus mosquitoes in this area,” abc30 quoted Katherine Ramirez, who is with the Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District.

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From ABC 30
July 16, 2019

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — The West Nile virus has not made any humans sick in Fresno County this year, but the potential for infections is growing.

West Nile virus arrived in Fresno County in 2004 and the Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District has stayed busy ever since.

“Every year it’s here, so even though we do surveillance, we’re always collecting West Nile virus mosquitoes in this area,” said Katherine Ramirez with the Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District.

Employees go to ponding basins and neglected swimming pools and use fish or larvicide to control the mosquito population.

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From the Visalia Times Delta
July 12, 2019

The Visalia Public Cemetery District is asking people not to bring fresh flowers to the cemetery after health officials found mosquitos that can carry West Nile and other viruses in standing water containers. 

On June 19, Delta Vector found invasive mosquitoes in three out of four samples at the cemetery. 

Delta Vector is the testing agency tasked with placing traps and identifying West Nile across Tulare County. 

After getting the mosquito news, the cemetery district hired a temporary crew to turn over flower vases and containers to eliminate standing water.

That temporary crew worked 135 hours over seven days to complete this project, cemetery managers said. 

The cemetery is close to 50 acres in size and there are more than 45,000 graves. 

Read more

From Pest Control Technology
July 11, 2019

From the Palm Desert Patch
July 9, 2019

COACHELLA VALLEY, CA — With potentially deadly mosquito-borne viruses continuing to be detected in the Coachella Valley, vector control officials will carry out additional pesticide spray applications Tuesday.

The total number of positive samples for West Nile virus in the Coachella Valley so far this year is 284 — more than the last four years combined, Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District spokeswoman Tammy Gordon said. Mosquitoes carrying St. Louis encephalitis virus have also been detected.

Both illnesses are transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. There have been no reported human cases of either illness in the region this year.

Most infected people will have no symptoms, but others can develop fever, headaches, and body aches, Gordon said. Hospitalization is required in some cases, and in rare cases the diseases can be fatal.

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From the Desert Sun
July 9, 2019

An Imperial County resident died from West Nile virus, a county health official confirmed Tuesday morning.

He was the first person to die of West Nile virus in California this year. Imperial County Public Health Department officials haven’t released specific details about the patient, but his daughter told The Desert Sun his name was Robert Mears, 74, and he died July 4 at University of California, San Diego Medical Center. 

Mears started feeling ill shortly after his birthday on June 11 and believed he suffered from a cold. Mears “was a trooper” and continued his daily routine until his condition worsened and he was admitted to Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Brawley, said daughter Doree Grindell of San Diego. He later moved to Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs before relocating to San Diego, where he died.

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From KESQ
July 8, 2019

With potentially deadly mosquito-borne viruses continuing to be detected in the Coachella Valley, vector control officials are planning to carry out further pesticide spray applications this week.

The total number of positive samples for West Nile virus in the Coachella Valley so far this year is 284 — more than the last four years combined, Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District spokeswoman Tammy Gordon said. Mosquitoes carrying St. Louis encephalitis virus have also been detected.

Both illnesses are transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. There have been no reported human cases of either illness in the region this year.

Most infected people will have no symptoms, but others can develop fever, headaches, and body aches, Gordon said. Hospitalization is required in some cases, and in rare cases the diseases can be fatal.   

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From the Sacramento Bee
July 8, 2019

The first bird of the season has tested positive for West Nile virus in Sacramento County, and officials said they are on alert for the mosquito-borne disease that killed 11 people and infected more than 200 in California last year.

A yellow-billed magpie found dead last week near Elverta in north Sacramento County tested positive for the virus, the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District confirmed Monday in a news release.

“Finding the first positive bird is always significant because it provides an early warning sign for the disease,” said Gary Goodman, manager of the district, which covers Sacramento and Yolo counties. “It confirms that the virus is present, provides a good indication of where we may find positive mosquito samples and where human cases may develop later in the season.”

Other California counties have started to register activity, too, according to the California West Nile virus website “Fight the Bite.” Possibly the first reported human case of West Nile in the state was confirmed near Modesto this June. This year, 471 mosquito samples from 10 counties have tested positive for the virus. Monday afternoon, the latest mosquito sample collected in Olivehurst in Yuba County also tested positive.

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From Champion Newspapers
July 6, 2019

From the Los Angeles Times
July 5, 2019

A mysterious fungus that has killed millions of bats in the eastern United States and left caves littered with their tiny carcasses has arrived in Northern California and appears poised to spread throughout the state, according to officials.

Government biologists confirmed Friday that a number of bats found near Lassen Volcanic National Park had tested positive for the germ that causes white-nose syndrome—a relatively new disease that leaves a trademark smudge of white on the infected animal’s muzzle.

The illness, which is caused by a cold-loving fungus, appeared suddenly in the Northeast just over a decade ago and has moved steadily west. The fungus has devastated North American bat species in some regions and pushed the natural pest controllers toward extinction.

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From ABC 7
July 3, 2019

VENTURA COUNTY (KABC) — Health officials are on alert after mosquitoes in Ventura County tested positive for West Nile Virus.

The California Department of Public Health says this was the first mosquito sample of 2019 to test positive for the disease.

To minimize your exposure to West Nile Virus, experts recommend removing standing water from your property and make sure you have tight-fitting screens on windows and doors.

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From the New York Times
July 2, 2019

SÃO PAULO, Brazil — Remember Zika?

With measles and Ebola grabbing headlines, it is easy to forget the health panic of 2016, when Zika was linked to severe birth defects in thousands of Brazilian newborns whose mothers were infected while pregnant, striking fear across the country and much of the Americas.

As health officials struggled to halt its spread, the virus galloped through Latin America and the Caribbean that spring and summer and eventually reached the United States, sickening more than 200 people in Florida and Texas and prompting countless travelers to cancel vacations in the tropics.

Then, seemingly overnight, the epidemic evaporated and public attention moved on.

But Zika, it turns out, did not vanish.

“Zika has completely fallen off the radar, but the lack of media attention doesn’t mean it’s disappeared,” said Dr. Karin Nielson, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at U.C.L.A. who studies Zika’s impact in Brazil. “In some ways, the situation is a bit more dangerous because people aren’t aware of it.”

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From the Stillwater News-Press
July 1, 2019

Mosquitoes continue to be the foe of the summer with wet and stormy conditions continuing throughout the year. Because of increased wet conditions, an increase of mosquitoes in the area may be noticed.

Mosquitoes not only carry the fear of being bitten and having itchy, red bumps everywhere, they also carry the fear of having dangerous and sometimes deadly pathogens with them. But which ones do we actually need to be concerned about?

Dog Heartworm

Dog Heartworm is mainly transmitted in Oklahoma by the Asian Tiger Mosquito, a day-biting mosquito, meaning your dog is still likely to be infected during the day, not just at dawn or dusk.

Symptoms of Dog Heartworm may include a mild persistent cough, reluctance to exercise, fatigue after moderate activity, decreased appetite and weight loss. As heartworm disease progresses, pets may develop heart failure and the appearance of a swollen belly due to excess fluid in the abdomen.

West Nile Virus

The Culex mosquito is the mosquito that primarily carries West Nile Virus. These mosquitoes bite in the early mornings and evenings, but using insect repellent containing DEET at these times cause help reduce your chances of acquiring West Nile virus.

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From the Santa Barbara Independent
June 29, 2019

No human cases of West Nile Virus have been reported in 2019, and the California Department of Public Health hopes to keep it that way as warmer weather arrives amid the spring drizzle. “West Nile virus activity in the state is increasing,” said State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith, “so it is important to take every possible precaution to protect against mosquito bites.” The state’s “fight the bite” tips include draining standing water, being aware of mosquitoes in the early morning and evening, and using insect repellent.

Effective versions of repellent block the mosquitoes’ ability to “smell” you, rather than killing the bugs, the health department said in a press release. Among them are EPA-registered repellents like DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 (aka ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate). (See here for more.) The carriers, most often the common Culex mosquito, are active early in the morning and in the evening.

If infected, symptoms in humans range from fever to central nervous system effects, such as encephalitis or meningitis. No vaccine or antiviral medication is available. Mosquito traps in seven counties – Riverside, Fresno, San Joaquin, Tulare, Kern, and San Bernardino – reported a total of 220 disease-carrying mosquitoes this year.

Dead birds are often the first indicators of the presence West Nile, and birds and mosquitoes are known to transmit the virus back and forth. Three counties have so far reported five infected wild birds: San Joaquin, Orange, and San Diego. Sentinel chickens, or flocks of hens kept for testing purposes, have so far come up negative for West Nile virus. Dead birds should be reported at the state’s West Nile site.

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From News Mono
June 29, 2019

The U.S. Drug and Food Administration has affirmed a new diagnostic test to help identify the Zika virus.

The test was affirmed half a month back. It’s intended to recognize antibodies delivered by the body’s immune system when it tests for the Zika virus infection in the blood.

As per the FDA, the diagnostic test is for utilize just in patients with clinical signs and Zika virus symptoms.

Symptoms can include muscle aches, fever, and joint pain.

Dr. Stephen Ramirez, with Stone Oak Family Practice, said the test will make a huge difference in the long run for patients.

“We finally have an FDA approved test for what we call the IGM Molecule or antibody for Zika. We are going to know a bit sooner and we can treat it a little bit sooner too. We didn’t have that before. When the second case (was) here in San Antonio a few years ago, I had to send my case to the CDC and it look me at least 2 months to find out if my patient had zika,” said Dr. Ramirez.

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From UC Riverside News
June 28, 2019

Scientists have finally found malaria’s Achilles’ heel, a neurotoxin that isn’t harmful to any living thing except Anopheles mosquitoes that spread malaria.

Nearly half the world’s population lives in areas vulnerable to malaria which kills roughly 450,000 people per year, most of them children and pregnant women. Progress fighting the disease is threatened as Anopheles develop resistance to chemical insecticides used to control them. There is also great concern about toxic side effects of the chemicals.

About 30 years ago, scientists identified a strain of bacteria that kills Anopheles. Since the bacteria’s method of attack was not understood, it couldn’t be replicated or used as an alternative to chemical insecticides — until now. 

An international team led by Sarjeet Gill, distinguished professor of molecular, cell and systems biology at UC Riverside, has identified a neurotoxin produced by the bacteria, and determined how it kills Anopheles. Their work is detailed in a paper published today in Nature Communications.

It took Gill and his team 10 years to achieve a breakthrough in their quest to understand the bacteria, and Gill attributes the success to modern gene sequencing techniques. They hit the bacteria with radiation, creating mutant bacterial strains that could not produce the toxin. By comparing the nontoxic strain to the one that kills Anopheles, they found proteins in the bacteria that are the keys to toxin production.

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From Yubanet.com
June 26, 2019

SACRAMENTO June 26, 2019 – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) urges all Californians to protect themselves from mosquito bites during West Nile virus (WNV) season, which extends from now through early fall.

“West Nile virus activity in the state is increasing, so it is important to take every possible precaution to protect against mosquito bites,” said State Public Health Officer and CDPH Director Dr. Karen Smith.

West Nile virus spreads to humans and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. Late-spring rains have contributed to standing water, which serves as a breeding source for mosquitoes that can spread WNV. Hot temperatures also contribute to increasing numbers of breeding mosquitoes and an increased risk of virus transmission to humans. Currently, WNV activity is within expected levels and is similar to activity at this time last year. The risk of disease due to WNV increases as the summer progresses, and declines in early fall as the weather cools. In 2018, there were 217 reported WNV cases in California, including 11 deaths. Since WNV was first introduced into California in 2003, there have been more than 6,000 human WNV cases and 303 WNV-related deaths across the state.

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From the Desert Sun
June 26, 2019

For the first time this year, West Nile virus has been found in mosquito samples in Cathedral City, officials announced on Wednesday afternoon.

The two positive samples came from Waverly and Golf Club drives and Hillcrest Road near Palo Verde Drive, according to the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District.

The virus has been spotted in mosquito samples throughout the valley. More than 220 samples have tested positive for the West Nile or St. Louis Encephalitis viruses, the district said.

On Monday, the district announced it was going to launch low-volume mosquito treatments by helicopter or truck in areas where the viruses had a significant presence. 

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From the Tracy Press
June 26, 2019

From the CDC
June 26, 2019

Zika virus and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) have caused outbreaks in several tropical regions, including the Pacific (1). The first known Zika virus outbreak occurred in Yap Island (Federated States of Micronesia) in 2007 (2), followed by an explosive outbreak in French Polynesia in 2013–2014 (3), then other Pacific islands (4) and Latin America (5). CHIKV first appeared in the Pacific in 2011 (6), causing multiple outbreaks from 2013 onward (4).

In Fiji, the first confirmed Zika virus infections were detected in July 2015; these were locally acquired. By March 2016, a total of 13 confirmed infections had been reported (7). The first recorded CHIKV infection was an imported case detected in March 2015 (8); 24 autochthonous infections were identified by June 2016 (9). CHIKV and Zika virus were subsequently detected in travelers returning from Fiji (10,11). Outbreaks of dengue virus (DENV) have been recorded in Fiji (4,12), and evidence from other settings indicates that DENV and Zika virus can exhibit similar transmission characteristics in the same location (13). Despite enhanced surveillance, no large outbreaks of Zika or chikungunya were identified in Fiji, unlike in other settings (3,4). We describe the introduction, epidemiology, and transmission of Zika virus and CHIKV in Fiji during 2013–2017, in a context of concurrent circulation of DENV (4,12).

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From the Pasadena Star-News
June 25, 2019

What does an exotic brand of mosquito called Aedes and a musical video featuring people in pastel-colored sweats gyrating to a synthesized beat have in common?

Nothing, really.

Unless you are the folks from the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District.

The staff of the bug-squashing district created a public service announcement, called “Don’t Bring Back the Aedes,” that cleverly promotes a message of wearing insect repellent and tipping over pots of water carrying the Aedes eggs within a music video.

It’s all based on rhyming the bug’s name (pronounced A-DEEZ) with the ’80s decade. Throw in a rap number and some choreographed dance moves and there you have it.

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From WGXA.tv
June 24, 2019

MACON, Ga. — Mosquito-born diseases can be fatal, and some experts say a warming climate could make things worse.

WGXA spoke with a mosquito expert, Dr. Bruce Snyder, with Georgia College and State University to see if Middle Georgians should be concerned.

Georgia is home to 60 species of mosquitoes, as well as mosquito-borne diseases including West Nile and Zika — but should Georgians be concerned about the spreading of a new virus known as dengue? A recent study analyzed the current and future distribution of the virus, and the group of people who could also be most at risk for it.

“Dengue can be fatal but it rarely is, so it definitely can affect many more people. Especially if it does get transmitted into the US and become established and really move northward,” Snyder said.

Mosquitoes carry and transmit the virus, much like the Zika and yellow fever viruses.

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From News-Medical.net
June 24, 2019

Feed mosquitoes more nitrogen when they’re young, and the adults are less likely to transmit the Zika virus, University of Florida scientists say. Now, researchers want to know why, and they’re determined to discover how the findings can help further their research into the dangerous virus.

In a new study, researchers with the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and the University of Southern Mississippi examined how quality and quantity of food ingested by the yellow fever mosquito affect its biology, including its ability to become infected by, and potentially transmit, the Zika virus.

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From KESQ
June 24, 2019

COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif.- – A historic season has opened to door to possible “epidemic conditions” when it comes to the presence of virus-positive mosquitos in the Coachella Valley, according to a Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District (CVMVCD) news release. 

District testing has revealed that the mosquito population in the valley is especially high and that there has been an unprecedented number of samples coming up positive for both West Nile Virus (WNV) and Saint Louis Encephalitis Virus (SLEV). 

More than 180 mosquito samples have tested positive for the diseases in the valley this year. That’s up from only about 25 positive samples detected last year.

“We have the conditions that are right for having people becoming sick,” 

CVMVCD is planning a series of ultra-low volume (ULV) applications of mosquito treatments across the valley in an attempt to combat the problem. 

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From the South Pasadenan
June 21, 2019

Mosquitoes — one of the natural banes of our existence. We’re all familiar with the tickle, the itch, the scratching, the pleasant outdoor evenings given up because their bites are getting to be too much to handle.

But now, it’s not just during the cooler dusky hours of summer that South Pasadenans are vulnerable to mosquitoes. With two new invasive species establishing themselves in our area, mosquito season is 24/7.

On June 11 the San Gabriel Valley Vector & Mosquito Control District put on a workshop, “South Pasadena Bites Back!”, at the Library Community Room to educate the public about the new health threats we could be facing.

“It used to be that we had a mosquito season that runs from April through maybe August, but now we’re seeing mosquito season turn into a year-round issue,” said Levy Sun, Public Information Officer at the Control District.

“Temperatures are higher for a longer period of time, and we’re also seeing more high temperatures following rain events. And when rain hits the cities, they find all sorts of sources in people’s back yards, and when the high temperatures come in, the mosquitos are ready to lay their eggs.”

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From News Channel 3
June 20, 2019

Mosquitoes in the eastern Coachella Valley tested positive for St. Louis Encephalitis (SLEV) virus this week, the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District announced Thursday.

Vector Control said the infected mosquitoes were collected from a trap in the Thermal-Oasis area. This is the first time SLEV has tested positive in the Coachella Valley this year.

There were also mosquito samples in the Thermal-Oasis area that tested positive for West Nile Virus. WNV was detected in 37 samples throughout the valley including Coachella, Indio, La Quinta, Mecca, Palm Desert, and Palm Springs. According to Vector Control, there have been 169 WNV positive samples in 2019, the most since 2003.

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From Forbes
June 17, 2019

Greece’s Foreign Office is preparing summer tourists for a trip to the country in a slightly different way than usual; by adding mosquitoes to its list of travel perils. More people than ever before are contracting West Nile virus, a disease which is spread by mosquito bites and last year, 50 Greeks died.

West Nile virus is transmitted to humans and animals through the bite of infected culex mosquitoes, which are active from dusk until dawn (other mosquitoes come out during the day). The virus was first identified and classified in 1937 in the West Nile region of Uganda (hence its name) although it hasn’t always been considered very serious because most people who are infected don’t usually exhibit any signs of illness.

For the people who do have symptoms–about 20% of infected people–these will be flu-like, with fever, headaches, diarrhoea and vomiting. However, there are a few–typically 1 in every 150–who will be much more affected and will develop some kind of neuroinvasive disease such as meningitis and encephalitis, leading to possible mental confusion, loss of memory, and convulsions. Unlike other species of mosquitoes, the culex mosquito has a preference for birds so whilst humans are not the preferred meal, the disease can stick around as it is transmitted from bird to bird and it tends to be transported long-distances. It’s overwhelmingly the case that the older you are, the more likely it is that you will be adversely affected by West Nile disease.

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From the Modesto Bee
June 17, 2019

A human case of west Nile virus was confirmed this week near east Modesto, according Lloyd Douglass, manager of the East Side Mosquito Abatement District.

Douglass said the case came a bit earlier than last year for the area, and could be the first in the state. There were no reported human cases as of last Friday, according to the state’s West Nile website. Generally, the first cases are seen in the Bakersfield area and Southern California.

Mosquitoes with West Nile have been found this year, with a report of three dead birds — two in Orange County and one in San Diego County.

Warm weather coupled with plentiful water from the wet winter have created the “perfect storm” to allow mosquito populations to boom, Douglass said. With more mosquitoes comes the greater likelihood of people contracting the virus.

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From The Collegian
June 15, 2019

The Fresno County Department of Public Health (FCDPH) issued a warning regarding the West Nile virus (WNV) on Friday.

According to the FCDPH website, mosquitoes collected within the City of Fresno have tested positive for the virus. The mosquitoes were found around the 93710 ZIP code, which includes the Fresno State campus.

“This confirmation is a strong reminder that everyone should take this disease seriously and should take every precaution to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites,” says Leticia Berber, Health Educator Fresno County Department of Public Health.

Precautionary measures include contacting local mosquito control district regarding standing water or mosquito problems, as well as to report any neglected swimming pools and practicing the “three Ds” proposed by the FCDPH.

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From YourCentralValley.com
June 14, 2019

FRESNO, California – Mosquitos in the city of Fresno tested positive for West Nile virus, the Fresno County Department of Public Health announced Friday.

The Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District notified the Department of Public Health of West Nile positive virus tests in adult mosquitoes collected from an area around portions of Fresno – specifically in the 93710 area code.

“This confirmation is a strong reminder that everyone should take this disease seriously and should take every precaution to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites,” says Leticia Berber, health educator for the Department of Public Health.

The health department recommends that residents contact their local mosquito control district regarding standing water or mosquito problems, as well as to report any neglected swimming pools.

Neglected pools are a major source of mosquito production in urban and suburban areas, the health department said.

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From the Manteca/Ripon Bulletin
June 14, 2019

West Nile Virus is here again. 

On Thursday, the San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District announced that mosquitoes that tested positive for the virus – which can be transmitted to humans and can be deadly in certain populations – have been discovered in San Joaquin County. 

The West Nile Virus positive mosquitoes were discovered in traps that were set in both Ripon and Tracy. 

The discovery and subsequent announcement of its arrival came less than a week before the disclosure that mosquitoes had tested positive for the virus last year on June 17. 

“This find serves as a reminder that mosquitoes carry disease that can harm humans. The District does its part in controlling mosquitoes; however, mosquito control is everyone’s responsibility,” said Aaron Devencenzi, Public Information Officer of the District. “Adult mosquito control activities will increase in accordance with our surveillance results.”

With last year being the worst year for concentration of the virus in and around San Joaquin County since 2014 – with a 125 percent spike in the number of confirmed cases of the virus in humans coming between August and September – spraying efforts continued well into the fall in order to eradicate the adult populations that transmit the virus. 

From the Miami Herald
June 14, 2019

Summer in South Florida brings warm weather, high humidity and mosquitoes — an ideal environment for two closely related viruses, Zika and dengue fever.

Scientists with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday that they want clinicians to keep both diseases in mind whenever patients present with fever, rash, and joint and muscle pain.

Zika and dengue fever have surfaced in South Florida in the past. Both are transmitted primarily by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito, though Zika can also be transmitted by sex and through blood transfusions. And both produce similar symptoms.

“Both of them can have some pretty bad consequences but in different populations,” said Tyler Sharp, a health scientist with the CDC’s dengue branch in Puerto Rico and author of a report advising doctors and nurses to be on the lookout for both diseases.

From Action News JAX
June 14, 2019

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The start of summer comes with an increase in mosquito activity, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging clinics to test for both Zika and dengue fever in patients with certain symptoms. 

Randy Wishard is the chief of mosquito control in Duval County and tests mosquitoes. 

“We do anticipate an upscale or an upswing in the next couple weeks,” Wishard said.

Hot temperatures and humidity are the perfect mix for mosquitoes.

The CDC is urging clinicians to test patients for Zika and dengue fever if a patient shows signs of a rash, fever, and muscle and joint pain. 

Both diseases can be transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

“We need to know what species they are for the environments that they may live in or grow in,” Wishard said.

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From the American Medical Association
June 12, 2019

Diseases from mosquito and tick bites occur in every U.S. state and territory. The growing incidence of Lyme disease and recent outbreaks of Zika virus and chikungunya point to the need for comprehensive vector-borne disease (VBD) programs. Physicians, health care teams and patients should be much more aware of VBDs, says an AMA Council on Science and Public Health report whose recommendations were adopted at the 2019 AMA Annual Meeting in Chicago. 

Sixteen VBDs “are reportable to state and territorial health departments and the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System,” says the council report. “The most common VBDs in the United States are Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, West Nile virus, dengue and Zika virus disease. As a group, VBDs in the United States are notable for their wide distribution and resistance to control.” 

Vector-control programs vary by jurisdiction, placing responsibilities on the local health department, mosquito control district or other local agencies. As a result, there are differing capabilities across the country.  

“Our country currently has limited capacity to properly control mosquitoes, ticks and other sources of vector-borne disease that are causing more and more people to become ill. In fact, approximately 80 percent of vector-control organizations lack the resources they need to prevent and control vector-borne diseases,” said AMA Board Member E. Scott Ferguson, MD.  

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From MyNewsLA.com
June 12, 2019

The number of mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile virus reached new heights in the Coachella Valley this week, vector control officials said Wednesday.

The Coachella Valley Vector Control District collected 29 samples of mosquitoes with the virus in the last week, bringing the total number of positive samples collected this year to 108, according to the district’s Tammy Gordon.

At this time last year, no West Nile-positive mosquitoes had been detected, Gordon said.

The most recent samples were collected from communities across the valley, including Coachella, Indio, Mecca, Thermal and La Quinta.

Gordon said the sample collected from La Quinta marked the first time West Nile virus has been detected in that city so far this year.

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