From the Antelope Valley Press
June 15, 2022

From NBC Los Angeles
June 13, 2022

What is the West Nile Virus?

The “West Nile Virus” was first identified in the sub-region of Uganda called The West Nile.

The virus runs during mosquito season, which takes place from summer through fall. It is present within all states of the continental U.S.

The virus survives within several types of birds and is transmitted when a mosquito feeds off of an infected bird. The disease can infect humans, horses, and birds.

It is the most common vector-borne virus in California with more than 7,000 human cases and over 300 deaths in California since 2003.

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From KTLA
June 13, 2022

A mosquito tested positive for West Nile virus in Los Angeles County, marking the first such sample this year, health officials announced Monday.

The positive mosquito sample was collected from a mosquito trap in Bellflower, confirming the presence of the virus in mosquito populations within the community, according to the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District.

While this confirmation serves as the first positive mosquito sample this year, West Nile virus was detected in three dead crows found in the North Hills neighborhood on May 26, the agency said.

Surveilling dead birds serves as an early warning detection tool that helps authorities identify when the virus is actively being transmitted between birds in the area.

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From NBC Palm Springs
June 8, 2022

THERMAL (CNS) – Mosquitoes collected in Thermal tested positive for West Nile virus, the first detection of the virus in the city this year, the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District announced today.

The mosquitoes were collected near 68th Avenue and Fillmore Street in Thermal, according to the district.

In response, mosquito-control technicians increased their presence in the Coachella Valley, carrying out control treatments in hopes of reducing any spread of the virus. District officials, however, urged residents to take precautions.

“Before going out, apply insect repellent containing the EPA-registered ingredients,” district public information officer Tammy Gordon said in a statement. “There is no cure or vaccine for West Nile virus, it’s not worth getting sick.”

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From Gold Country Media
June 7, 2022

The Placer Mosquito and Vector Control District encourages area residents to prepare now for West Nile virus season by protecting themselves from potential mosquito bites.

With no cure available, West Nile virus is a serious and potentially fatal illness transmitted through the bite of a female mosquito.

Although West Nile Virus has not yet been detected in Placer County this season, the district’s public information officer Meagan Luevano said, the virus has been detected in Yolo and Sacramento counties.

A dead bird that tested positive for West Nile virus was found two weeks ago in Davis and a positive pool of mosquitoes was found last week in Carmichael, according to Luevano..

“The detections are super close to us,” Luevano said. “These detections are not that much earlier than our detections last season. Our first West Nile virus positive mosquito sample was June 23 last year.”

Placer County had one human case of the virus last year.

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From SCV News
June 7, 2022

The Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District has confirmed the first detection in 2022 of West Nile virus activity in Los Angeles County. The virus was detected in three dead American crows collected in the neighborhood of North Hills Zip Code 91343 on May 26.

This confirmation serves as the District’s first detection of West Nile virus activity in 2022. Mosquito samples have not tested positive for the virus within the surrounding community, nor in Los Angeles County. The dead bird surveillance program serves as an early warning detection tool that helps identify when the virus is actively being transmitted within the bird population. The three dead birds were collected, shipped and tested at the university of California, Davis Arbovirus Research and Training Laboratory which provides testing for multiple vector control agencies across the state.

“American crows can fly up to 40 miles each day from overnight roosting sites, so while there has not yet been virus activity detected in mosquito populations in Los Angeles County, this confirmation serves as an alert that mosquitoes may soon become infected and residents should take precautions,” said Director of Scientific-Technical Services Steve Vetrone.

Since West Nile virus is endemic to Los Angeles County, it is typically detected by local public health agencies during summer. Because there is no human vaccine for West Nile, residents must be proactive against mosquito bites by wearing insect repellent. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend products with the active ingredients DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus as being safe and effective against mosquitoes that can transmit disease when used according to the labels.

One in five persons infected with the virus will exhibit symptoms. Symptoms can include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, or skin rash. These symptoms can last for several days to months. One in 150 people infected with the virus will require hospitalization. Severe symptoms include high fever, muscle weakness, neck stiffness, coma, paralysis and possibly death. If residents feel they are experiencing symptoms, it is strongly recommended to consult their primary care physician.

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From CBS Los Angeles
June 6, 2022

West Nile virus has been confirmed in Los Angeles County for the first time this year, authorities said Monday.

The virus was detected in three dead crows collected in the North Hills area on May 26, according to the Los Angeles County Vector Control District. Mosquito samples had not tested positive for the virus in Los Angeles County yet.

“American crows can fly up to 40 miles each day from overnight roosting sites, so while there has not yet been virus activity detected in mosquito populations in Los Angeles County, this confirmation serves as an alert that mosquitos may soon become infected, and residents should take precautions,” Steve Vetrone, director of Scientific-Technical Services, said in a statement.

There is no human vaccine for West Nile virus, which is usually transmitted via mosquito bite. Symptoms of West Nile include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, or skin rash that can last for several days to months. One of 150 people will require hospitalization, and severe symptoms include coma, paralysis, and death, authorities said.

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From ABC 13
June 6, 2022

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — Officials confirmed a case of West Nile virus has been found in The Woodlands’ first mosquito samples of the 2022 season.

The mosquitos were caught through the course of the week in zip codes 77380 and 77382.

According to city officials, treatment of the affected areas will begin Tuesday, including spraying all streets and county rights of way. The second round of treatment is scheduled for Thursday.

“Our office is working diligently to minimize the risk of contracting a mosquito-borne illness,” Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack said.

Residents can check the treatment activity map to learn when spraying will occur in their neighborhoods.

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Posted by Vector and Vector-borne Disease Committee
June 6, 2022

Mary E. Danforth1, Robert E. Snyder1, Emma T. N. Lonstrup2, Christopher M. Barker2, Vicki L. Kramer1ID

1 Vector-Borne Disease Section, California Department of Public Health, Sacramento, CA,

2 Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 16(5): e0010375. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0010375

Abstract [partial].  …  We built models to determine the association between risk level and the number of reported symptomatic human West Nile disease cases with onset in the following three weeks to identify the essential components of the risk level and to compare California’s risk estimates to vector index. Risk level calculations based on Culex tarsalis and/or Cx. pipiens complex levels were significantly associated with increased human risk, particularly when accounting for vector control area

and population, and were better predictors than using the vector index. Including all potential

environmental components  created an effective tool to estimate the risk of WNV transmission

to humans in California.

Note.   There has been a trend among MVCAC agencies to reduce the number of surveillance components used to monitor WNV transmission risk.  Currently fewer agencies report and test dead birds, and deploy chicken flocks each year.  These components have been replaced by increased mosquito trapping and testing, and the calculation of the Vector Index.  The current analyses show that the inclusion of avian host as well as mosquito infection data enhances estimates of human disease risk. 

From aginfo.net
June 1, 2022

While much of the western U.S. endures widespread drought, people may think mosquito season won’t be as intense. However, just because there’s no rain doesn’t mean there are no mosquitoes.

“Some of the most significant West Nile outbreaks have happened without significant rainfall,” says Dr. Justin Talley, Head of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Oklahoma State University. “Just because you don’t see water doesn’t mean there are no breeding areas around.”

He shared four tips for protecting horses from West Nile Virus. The first is to vaccinate your horses. Number two is hanging high-powered livestock fans. Third, get rid of as much standing water as possible and clean the horses’ water sources once a week.

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From KGET
June 1, 2022

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) – Kern County’s ongoing battle against disease-carrying mosquitoes has a new weapon. A truck-mounted sprayer that’s capable of producing a super-fine, super-effective mist is coming to a neighborhood near you.

It’s called a Wide Area Larvicide Spraying system, and it will specifically target ankle-biters, or as they’re more formally known, Aedes aegypti. Those are the persistent bugs that showed up in Arvin in 2013, made their way to Bakersfield in 2018 and haven’t left since then.

They’re not just annoying – they can carry West Nile Virus. Starting June 6, the Kern Mosquito and Vector Control District’s new spraying system – WILS for short – will embark on a six-week pilot project. But you’re not invited to watch, even if you’re tempted by the rather noisy motor.

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From Fox 40
May 31, 2022

DAVIS, Calif (KTXL) — A dead American Crow collected in Davis was found to be carrying West Nile Virus by the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control on Tuesday, according to vector control.

This is the first sign of West Nile Virus activity in the Sacramento area this year, according to vector control.

“Finding the first positive bird is always significant because it provides an early warning sign for the disease,” District Manager Gary Goodman said. “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”

According to vector control, this is not the first sign of the virus in California as other counties have already seen activity of the virus.

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From the Sacramento Bee
May 31, 2022

Summer has not yet begun, but the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District confirmed Tuesday that they already have found one bird that has tested positive for West Nile virus.

“Finding the first positive bird is always significant because it provides an early warning sign for the disease,” said District Manager Gary Goodman. “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,”

Found in Davis, the bird is an American crow and is the second West Nile-positive bird discovered statewide this year. Vector districts in Contra Costa, Fresno, Kern, Orange and Riverside counties already have confirmed West Nile activity in mosquito samples, according to the westnile.ca.gov website. Contra Costa officials reported the first dead bird with the virus statewide on May 17 — it was found in an area of Brentwood close to Discovery Bay.

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From Bakersfield.com
May 31, 2022

From the Sonoma County Gazette
May 27, 2022

The Marin/Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District is reminding residents to pack mosquito repellent when preparing for outdoor activities this Memorial Day weekend. “The holiday weekend is a time when many residents spend time outdoors,” stated Nizza Sequeira, Public Information Officer for the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District. “Protection against mosquito bites and mosquito-borne diseases is imperative, especially at dusk and dawn. Personal protection measures include wearing long sleeves and long pants, and applying an effective insect repellent to exposed skin,” said Sequeira

While West Nile virus is endemic to the area, District officials say it has not yet been detected in Marin and Sonoma counties this year. West Nile virus activity has been detected in other areas of California, though, so residents should be extra vigilant about protecting themselves from mosquito bites when traveling to other areas.

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Posted by Vector and Vector-borne Disease Committee
May 26, 2022

ANDALEEB SAJID [HTTPS://ORCID.ORG/0000-0001-6248-4985], AQUELINE MATIAS, GUNJAN ARORA, CHEYNE KUROKAWA, KATHLEEN DEPONT, EXIAOTIAN TANG, et al. 

SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE [17 Nov 21], Vol 13 [620], <DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abj9827>

Summary [Journal].  Repeated exposures to the black-legged tick, Ixodes scapularis, can lead to acquired resistance against ticks or “tick immunity.” To generate tick resistance, the authors developed an mRNA vaccine that encoded for 19 I. scapularis salivary proteins (19ISP). Guinea pigs vaccinated with 19ISP developed erythema at the site of tick attachment, a feature of acquired tick resistance. This led to poor tick feeding and, in the case of ticks infected with the Lyme disease agent, Borrelia burgdorferi, reduced transmission of the pathogen. Thus, 19ISP is a promising candidate for antitick vaccines that may also prevent transmission of tick-borne spirochetes.

Comment:  The relatively long attachment of ticks on the host during feeding have made them a frequent target for accine development.  In the 1990s, anti-tick vaccines were developed and marketed in Australia against cattle ticks [See A.E. Tabor. 2021. https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fvaccines9091030], but problems with dosing led to disuse.  No anti-tick vaccines have been approved for humans.    

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Posted by Vector and Vector-borne Disease Committee
May 26, 2022

Tiffany D. Tran,1 Brittany M. Nelms,2 Michelle L. Koschik,2 Jamesina J. Scott,2 Tara Thiemann1

1University of the Pacific, Biological Sciences, Stockton, CA 95211, U.S.A.

2Lake County Vector Control District, 410 Esplanade St., Lakeport, CA 95453, U.S.A.

Abstract [paraphrased].  Mosquitoes collected in Lake County, CA, in 2014 were tested for filarial parasite DNA using standard PCR. Filarial parasites were detected in 23 out of 1,008 total pools. Dirofilaria immitis, dog heartworm, was detected in Aedes increpitus (MIR=4.62), Aedes sierrensis (MIR=6.72), Anopheles freeborni (MIR=1.08), and Culex tarsalis (MIR=0.10). Setaria yehi, deer body worm, was detected in Ae. sierrensis (MIR=13.42), Anopheles franciscanus (MIR=0.55), An. freeborni (MIR=2.69), and Culex stigmatosoma (MIR=0.41). The avian parasite Splendidofilaria could not be identified to species but was detected in Cx. tarsalis (MIR=0.20). DNA was also detected for three unidentified filarial parasites in Culex.

Comment:  This research confirms that Aedes sierrensis is an important vector of dog heartworm, but indicates that previous studies using dissection techniques most likely over estimated infection rates that were confounded because of frequent infection with deer body worm.  Further research is needed to elucidate the vector competence of these naturally infected species. 

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Posted by Vector and Vector-borne Disease Committee
May 19, 2022

Trypanosoma cruzi and Other Vector-Borne Infections in Shelter Dogs in Two Counties of Oklahoma, United States.

Kelly E. Allen and Megan W. Lineberry

Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA.

VECTOR-BORNE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASES, Volume 22 (5), 2022.  DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2021.0078

Abstract [condensed]

Trypanosoma cruzi is an emerging zoonotic vector-borne parasite infecting dogs and other mammals in the United States. In this study we evaluated shelter dogs in one northeastern and one southeastern county in Oklahoma for prevalence of exposure and infection with T. cruzi using the Chagas STAT PAKassay and PCR, respectively.  Overall, 26 of 197 (13.2%) shelter dogs had detectable antibodies against T. cruzi and 3 of 189 (1.6%) dogs were PCR positive.   In addition, the dogs were tested for evidence of infection with other vector-borne organisms using the SNAP 4Dx Plus Test and PCR and  42  (21.3%) had evidence of exposure to or were infected with at least one other vector-borne agent including Anaplasma phagocytophilum,Anaplasma platys, Babesia sp. (Coco), Dirofilaria immitis, Ehrlichia canis, Ehrlichia chaffeensis,Ehrlichia ewingii, and Hepatozoon americanum. This study serves to boost state-wide veterinary and public health awareness vector-borne pathogens infecting shelter dogs in Oklahoma.

Note:  This study shows the importance of a One Health approach in detecting the presence of zoonotic pathogens by testing companion animals.  As pointed out in the recent MVCAC annual meeting, T. cruzi and vectors are found in California as well as some of the other tick-borne pathogens detected in this study. 

Posted by Vector and Vector-borne Disease Committee
May 19, 2022

Emerging Mosquito-Borne Viruses Linked to Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus: Global Status and Preventive Strategies

Jonas Naslund,1 Clas Ahlm,2,3 Koushikul Islam,2 Magnus Evander,2,3,I, Goran Bucht,2 and Olivia Wesula Lwande2,3

1Swedish Defence Research Agency, CBRN, Defence and Security, Umea°, Sweden.

2Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umea° University, Umea, Sweden.

3Arctic Research Centre at Umea° University, Umea, Sweden.

iORCID ID (https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6034-4807).

VECTOR-BORNE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASES,  Volume 21(10) 2021

DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2020.2762

Abstract [condensed]

Emerging mosquito-borne viruses continue to cause serious health problems and economic burden among billions of people living in and near the tropical belt of the world. The highly invasive mosquito species Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus have successively invaded and expanded their presence as key vectors of Chikungunya, dengue, yellow fever, and Zika viruses leading to frequent local outbreaks and infrequent pandemics.  These two mosquito species have gradually adapted to new temperate ecozones inhabited by immunologically naive human populations. Many risk factors, for example, global transportation systems, may result in sporadic local outbreaks. There is an urgent need for improved surveillance of vector populations, human cases, and reliable prediction models. In summary, we recommend new and innovative strategies for the prevention of these types of infections.

Note:  This paper reviews recent Aedes related arbovirus outbreaks and describes their public health and economic impact.  This review clearly supports the need for surveillance and control programs to recognize and mitigate these imported arboviruses – problems addressed daily by the membership of the MVCAC. 

From KRON4
May 17, 2022

BRENTWOOD, Calif. (BCN) – The first case of the year was found recently in a dead American crow in Brentwood, according to the Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District. 

Since 2005, 75 people in Contra Costa have been diagnosed with West Nile virus. Two people died from the disease in 2006. The district said in a press release, “Certain birds carry WNV. Once a mosquito bites an infected bird, the mosquito can become infected. Mosquitoes can spread the virus when they bite another bird or person.” 

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From ABC 7
May 13, 2022

WEST COVINA, Calif. (KABC) — It’s a big problem that comes with warmer weather — more insects. Many, especially mosquitoes, can carry some very serious diseases.

The San Gabriel Valley is working hard to control pests there.

Levy Sun with the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District says SoCal residents don’t stand a biting chance against mosquitoes this summer, and reports record numbers of the annoying insects.

“If you’re hearing buzzing, it’s definitely not in your head,” Sun said. “There really are more insects and mosquitos out there right now.”

The department warns the Culex, native to SoCal, is the mosquito responsible for spreading West Nile virus, and is known to bite closer to sunset. And a newer, invasive mosquito called Aedes, or ankle biters, bite aggressively during the day.

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From the Antelope Valley Press
May 12, 2022

From ABC 30
May 11, 2022

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Mosquito season is here. This means the West Nile Virus could be buzzing in your backyard.

“So this year, it’s a little early,” says Katherine Ramirez with the Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District. “We typically see positive mosquitoes in June.”

On Wednesday, the Fresno Mosquito and Vector Control District notified the Fresno County Department of Public Health of positive West Nile Virus cases collected in adult mosquitoes in Southeast Fresno.

While the Central Valley can be dry, Ramirez says any area in the Valley that has standing water can produce the potential for West Nile Virus-positive mosquitoes.

Ramirez advises folks to clean out or empty any standing water, including pools, the bottom of your plants and don’t forget to cover your yard drains.

West Nile can be a very serious illness and it only takes one bite to get sick.

Because there is no medication, health officials say prevention is key.

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Posted by Vector and Vector-borne Disease Committee
May 9, 2022

West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus High Probability Habitat Identification for the Selection of Sentinel Chicken Surveillance Sites in Florida

Sean P. Beeman¹; Joni A. Downs²; Thomas R. Unnasch¹; Robert S. Unnasch¹

¹Center for Global Health Infectious Disease Research, University of South Florida, 3720 Spectrum Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33612.

²School of Geosciences, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620.

J Am Mosq Control Assoc (2022) 38 (1): 1–6.

https://doi.org/10.2987/21-7049

ABSTRACT [partial].  Identifying high probability locations for WNV and EEEV transmission and relocating coops to areas of higher arbovirus activity would improve the sensitivity of the sentinel chicken surveillance program. Using 2 existing models, this study conducted an overlay analysis to identify areas with high probability habitats for both WNV and EEEV activity. This analysis identified approximately 7,800 km2 (about 4.5% of the state) as high probability habitat for supporting both WNV and EEEV transmission. Mosquito control programs can use the map resulting from this analysis to improve their sentinel chicken surveillance programs, increase the probability of virus detection, reduce operational costs, and allow for a faster, targeted response to virus detection.

Note:  Because the number of locations sampled by sentinel chicken flocks always is limited by resources, sentinel programs should utilize a ‘best estimate’ approach with birds positioned in areas with a consistent history of enzootic virus activity to enhance the probability of seroconversions and therefore sensitivity.   Focal studies in the Coachella Valley (Reisen et al. 1995) similarly found that the incidence of seroconversions in sentinel chickens were dependent upon flock location and the frequency of serum collection. 

Reference List

Reisen, W. K., H. D. Lothrop, S. B. Presser, M. M. Milby, J. L. Hardy, W. J. Wargo, and R. W. Emmons. 1995. Landscape ecology of arboviruses in southern California: temporal and spatial patterns of vector and virus activity in Coachella Valley, 1990-1992.  J. Med. Entomol. 32: 255-266.

From CDPH VBDS
May 5, 2022

West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in many regions of the state. Physicians should:

• Be aware if WNV is active in their area
• Look for symptoms of WNV
• Test for WNV because testing:
  • differentiates WNV from other conditions (enterovirus, other arboviral diseases) and thus may prompt a change in treatment regime
  • results offer anticipatory guidance–both WNV neuroinvasive disease and WN fever patients can have lingering symptoms and knowing the underlying etiology is helpful for the patient and family members
  • helps mosquito control and public health agencies institute proper control measures to reduce the risk of further cases in the event of a positive result
• Contact their local public health department for details on sample submission and testing

For additional information, please see these resources:

• WNV: Keep it on Your Radar (up to date clinical and epidemiologic presentation on WNV)
• Flyer for Physicians on West Nile Virus
• West Nile Virus Disease During Pregnancy
• West Nile Virus Information and Guidance for Physicians

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From Action News Now
May 5, 2022

BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. – The Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control District will be checking unmaintained swimming pools and other “backyard breeders” through aerial surveillance on Monday.

Matt Ball, District Manager of Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control District, says it’s critical to check these areas early in the mosquito season when the West Nile virus is most active. Ball says it could prevent larger populations from hatching in urban areas later in the year.

“Undoubtedly the number of human cases could have been far worse in the state last year if it had not been for this program and others like it,” Ball said.

The Butte County Sheriff’s Office helicopter will assist with most of the flight during the project.

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From the Fresno Bee
May 5, 2022

From KGET
April 21, 2022

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Local experts say mosquito season is in full swing, and it will last until October or November. The Kern County Mosquito and Vector Control District says ankle-biting mosquitoes are back, but you can take steps today to keep them away from your home. Experts say a small, black-and-white mosquito called the Aedes Aegypti is already buzzing around Kern County.

“It’s a mosquito that not only will bite you multiple times, but it will bite you in the daytime,” said Terry Knight, of the Kern county Mosquito and Vector Control District. “It’s breeding in our front yards and our backyards. It’s going to be back, because we’re already seeing early numbers of this mosquito right now.”

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From APB Live
April 20, 2022

New Delhi: Dengue is the most widespread mosquito-borne disease in the world, and is caused by dengue viruses, which is spread to people through the bite of an infected Aedes species (Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus). These mosquitoes also spread Zika, chikungunya, and other viruses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The transmission of dengue between humans is mediated by the bites of female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

About four billion people in the world live in areas with a risk of dengue. About 400 million people get infected with dengue each year. To date, there are no medical treatments for people suffering from this disease. 

The dengue virus causes symptoms ranging from high fevers to severe bleeding and shock, and can be life-threatening. Most common symptom of dengue is fever with nausea, vomiting, rash, or aches in the eyes, muscles, or joints. The disease presents an enormous burden on health systems. 

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From KVTA
April 19, 2022

his is Mosquito Awareness Week and Ventura County Environmental Health officials are reminding us to take actions aimed at protecting ourselves and others from being bitten by mosquitos and also eliminating conditions that allow them to breed.

     They say make sure there is nothing in your yard that could collect even small amounts of water that can be used by mosquitos to breed.

     As far as avoiding being bitten, make sure you make it hard to allow mosquitos to enter your residence and wear protective clothing like long sleeve shirts and long pants.

     Also use EPA approved insect repellant.

     Mosquitos can transmit several diseases including West Nile Virus. 

     Below is the news release from Ventura County Environmental Health with more details…

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From 23 ABC
April 19, 2022

Mosquito bites are not pleasant.

“It takes and wiggles that mouth pore through the threads in your clothing,” Michael Roe, a professor at the North Carolina State University Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, said.

And sometimes, even a shirt can’t prevent them from getting to you. ”They can bite through animal fur, they can bite through your clothing,” Roe said.

But, at this lab, Roe and his team are developing something to change that, using mosquitos they raise in-house.

“We’ve been able to develop a series of parameters that every textile has, and by having the right combination of those parameters you can prevent a mosquito from biting through that textile,” he explained.

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From the Culver City Observer
April 14, 2022

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of providing public health service, the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District (District) will host an open house at its Santa Fe Springs Headquarters on Saturday, April 16th from 10am to 2pm. For seven decades, the District has protected cities and communities from mosquito-borne diseases through surveillance, mosquito control, and public health education.

The free event is open to the public and will have food, music, activities for the whole family, and giveaways. The open house celebration is an opportunity for cities, elected officials, community partners, and residents to meet staff, learn about mosquito control, and explore the District’s facilities.

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From Entomological Society of America Science Policy News
April 11, 2022

The Vector-Borne Disease Network (VBDN), a stakeholder group of nonprofit organizations including membership and trade associations, vector control groups, and educational institutions such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Regional Centers of Excellence [Note: the PacVec Center is directed by faculty at UC Davis and Riverside], convened online as a group for the first quarterly meeting of the year on March 21. The VBDN invited Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee majority and minority staff as special guests to speak to the group about S.3799, the “Prepare for and Respond to Existing Viruses, Emerging New Threats, and Pandemics Act” (PREVENT Pandemics Act), and ways the VBDN can help support their efforts.

While the bill is very broad in terms of public health priorities, specific to the interests of the VBDN are provisions that support biosurveillance, genome sequencing, a new epidemic forecasting center, loan forgiveness for public health professionals including vector management professionals (a program that has been authorized but unfunded previously), a new advisory committee to help improve communications during a public health emergency, a One Health Framework, and other ways to incentivize new talent in public health.

Caroline T. Weldon¹, Scott C. Weaver¹, and Kathryn H. Jacobsen²

¹ Western Gulf Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases and Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; 

 ² University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia

Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg.  106: 1003-1004.  DOI: https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.21-1340

Summary:  The COVID19 pandemic has caused major disruptions to medical and public health research productivity, especially among laboratory researchers.   These applied and academic public health workforce challenges have had a significant adverse impact on vector-borne disease (VBD) work in the United States over the past 2 years.   Based on responders to a small convenience survey, the authors observed the following trends:  1) Early in the pandemic, VBD personnel reported disruptions to the acquisition of biological specimens and laboratory equipment and supplies.  2) Much of the VBD workforce in 2020 were re-assigned to COVID-19 contact tracing and efforts on VBDs were reduced. 3) During 2020 and 2021 there was concern that VBDs were underdiagnosed and underreported, thereby reducing funding and resources for emerging VBDs.  4)  The responders felt that it will take several years for VBD research to regain momentum creating a decrease in publications reflecting the void in research.   

From the World Health Organization
April 7, 2022

In the lead-up to World Malaria Day 2022, we spoke with Dr Audrey Lenhart, Chief of the Entomology Branch in the Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and incoming co-chair of WHO’s Vector Control Advisory Group (VCAG), about where we are in the global fight against malaria, some of the new innovations being developed to help manage the mosquitoes spreading the disease, and the role of VCAG in both expediting and assessing new technologies for WHO. This conversation has been lightly edited for concision and clarity.

Thanks for taking the time to talk today. First, could you tell us a little about your own background in malaria prevention and how you came to be a part of VCAG?

Sure. Before joining VCAG and even CDC, my background was more focused on Aedes aegypti control [the mosquito that transmits arboviral diseases such as Zika, dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever] and insecticide resistance. Then when I joined CDC about 10 years ago, my work became much more focused on malaria.

I believe I was initially invited to participate in VCAG because I had experience with both Aedes control and malaria vector control, as well as experience in conducting large field trials of vector control tools with both entomological and epidemiological outcomes. That latter experience aligned particularly well with VCAG’s role in providing feedback to applicants on vector control trial design, and specifically around building a strong evidence base for understanding the public health impact of vector control tools.

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From Recordnet.com
April 7, 2022

Crane flies, we’ve all seen them awkwardly bumping into walls, ceilings and windows, gathered around porch lights or stuck to your window screens. In our area, they commonly known as mosquito hawks or mosquito eaters, but did you know, they don’t actually eat mosquitoes.

Adult crane flies spend their very short lives with only love on their tiny minds. The sole purpose of the adult crane fly is to mate and, for the females, to lay eggs for next spring’s crop of flies. The adults don’t really eat at all but, they are undoubtedly greatly appreciated by hungry birds at this time of year, as well as smaller mammals, fish, spiders and predatory insects. Crane flies are harmless to handle, so the next time one makes its way indoors, simply cup it gently to release outdoors.  

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From the Winters Express
April 7, 2022

The recent rain, combined with warm temperatures in the days ahead, make for the perfect breeding ground for mosquitos.

That’s why the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District is urging everyone to “drain the rain” to protect against mosquito-borne illnesses.

“Mosquitoes complete their life cycle much faster in warm weather,” said district manager Gary Goodman. “We urge all residents to do their part and help us drain standing water from common backyard sources such as buckets, flower pots, bird baths, old tires and other small containers that may breed mosquitoes.

“Getting rid of areas where mosquitoes can breed now will go a long way later in the season,” he added.

This is especially important for the prevention of invasive mosquitoes which have been rapidly spreading throughout the district since 2019.

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From Pasadena Now
April 4, 2022

Extreme drought conditions have been prevalent across the San Gabriel Valley for years and now new research suggests that as the drought intensifies, the percentage of infected West Nile mosquitoes goes up.

A steady rise in infected mosquitoes in the Pasadena area has been documented since 2019.

Data provided by San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District (SGVMVCD) revealed that a total of 17 mosquito samples from San Gabriel Valley tested positive for WNV in 2019, 53 samples tested positive in 2020 while 190 samples tested positive in 2021.

This counterintuitive relationship between less water and more West Nile virus-carrying mosquitoes was described in 2017 by scientists who studied the relationship between climate change and the virus.

One of them, Sara Paull, a disease ecologist at the National Ecological Observatory Network in Boulder, Colorado, told Kaiser Health News the connection may have to do with birds.

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Karen M. Holcomb,Chilinh Nguyen,Brian D. Foy,Michelle Ahn,Kurt Cramer,Emma T. Lonstrup,Asli Mete,Lisa A. Tell,Christopher M. Barker https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0010260 

Author summary:

Current mosquito control strategies aimed to prevent pathogen transmission to humans have limited ability to target mosquitoes involved in amplification and spillover transmission of pathogens like West Nile virus (WNV). Additionally, growing prevalence of insecticide resistance in mosquito populations limit the efficacy of these insecticide-based control strategies. Ivermectin (IVM) provides an alternative avenue for control by increasing the mortality of mosquitoes that ingest this drug in bloodmeals. Therefore, IVM treatment of avian species that account for the majority of mosquito bloodmeals during the WNV transmission season could be an effective control strategy. Building on pilot studies indicating the efficacy and feasibility of IVM-deployment for WNV control, we performed a randomized field trial to investigate the impact of IVM-treatment of backyard chickens on local population dynamics of Culex mosquitoes and WNV transmission. We were able to link changes in mosquito populations to reduction in WNV transmission, as measured by chicken seroconversions, through IVM-induced mortality in mosquitoes. However, further work is needed to identify the impact of treatment on mosquito abundance and infection prevalence to fully attribute observed changes to IVM administration. Overall, our results support IVM treatment as a potentially effective alternative to insecticide-based vector control strategies and one that can be used to target WNV transmission on the local scale.

Based on this positive pilot study with sentinel chickens, the authors suggested future research should entail treating peridomestic passerines attracted to backyard bird feeders as a possible approach to reducing the infectious vector population

From the Davis Enterprise
March 31, 2022

The recent rain, combined with warm temperatures in the days ahead, make for the perfect breeding ground for mosquitos.

That’s why the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District is urging everyone to “drain the rain” to protect against mosquito-borne illnesses.

“Mosquitoes complete their life cycle much faster in warm weather,” said district manager Gary Goodman. “We urge all residents to do their part and help us drain standing water from common backyard sources such as buckets, flower pots, bird baths, old tires and other small containers that may breed mosquitoes.

“Getting rid of areas where mosquitoes can breed now will go a long way later in the season,” he added.

This is especially important for the prevention of invasive mosquitoes which have been rapidly spreading throughout the district since 2019.

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From ABC10
March 30, 2022

SAN DIEGO (CNS) — Scientists at the University of California San Diego received a $1.4 million grant to study new genetic technologies intended to curb mosquito populations and fighting the spread of malaria, it was announced Wednesday.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation grant will also allow researchers to mitigate hazards associated with using gene-editing systems in the wild, according to UC San Diego.

“My lab, historically, was a fruit fly lab,” said Ethan Bier, a UC San Diego distinguished professor of developmental biology and science director for the Tata Institute for Genetics and Society.

“About five years ago in collaboration with the laboratory of Anthony James at UC Irvine, we started transferring some of our genetic strategies into mosquitoes,” Bier said in a statement.

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From LAist
March 28, 2022

Michael Keasling of Lakewood, Colorado was an electrician who loved big trucks, fast cars and Harley-Davidsons. He’d struggled with diabetes since he was a teenager, needing a kidney transplant from his sister to stay alive. He was already quite sick in August when he contracted West Nile virus after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

Keasling spent three months in hospitals and rehab, then died on Nov. 11 at age 57 from complications of the virus and diabetes, according to his mother, Karen Freeman. She said she misses him terribly.

“I don’t think I can bear this,” Freeman said shortly after he died.

Spring rain, summer drought and heat created ideal conditions for mosquitoes to spread the West Nile virus through Colorado last year, experts said. West Nile killed 11 people and caused 101 cases of neuroinvasive infections — those linked to serious illness such as meningitis or encephalitis — in Colorado in 2021, the highest numbers in 18 years.

From Spectrum News 1
March 28, 2022

Temperatures have climbed higher and higher in the spring season for most of the country over the past half-century. While that might mean you can put away the heavy coat sooner, you might have to reach for the allergy medicine sooner, too.

Since 1970, all but a part of the Northern Plains have seen springs trend warmer. The Southwest had the greatest warming, with some cities going up by about six degrees.

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From SCV News
March 24, 2022

The city of Santa Clarita invites residents to participate in the Rain Barrel Purchase Program. Residents can pre-order up to two rain barrels per household for $40.00 each, plus tax, at bit.ly/rainbarrelsc3 for pickup on Saturday, April 2, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at The Centre at 20880 Centre Pointe Parkway.

Rain barrels are an effective way to capture rain water to be stored and used for multiple purposes including home gardening projects and other household tasks. Each rain barrel is made out of food-grade plastic with a solid brass spigot that can be used to attach a garden hose to divert water for landscape irrigation. The barrel is also topped with a four-inch mesh screen that prevents bugs from contaminating the water and comes in 50-60-gallon capacity.

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From MedicalXpress
March 21, 2022

Scientists at the University of Glasgow and partner institutes have developed an inexpensive, fast and simple way to identify the aging mosquitos which transmit the deadly malaria parasite.

The study—published today in Nature Communications and led by the University of Glasgow-Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine (IBAHCM) and School of Chemistry, and the Ifakara Health Instititute (IHI) in Tanzania and the Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS) in Burkina Faso—presents a step change in our ability to accurately identify the age and species of malaria mosquitoes in wild populations, where it is critically important to be able to monitor their age, as only old mosquitoes can transmit the disease.

In 2020, there were an estimated 241 million cases of malaria worldwide, according to the WHO, killing around 627,000 people; and while there are vector controls in place to reduce the numbers of mosquitos that transmit the disease in certain parts of the world—such as insecticides or bed nets—the effectiveness of these interventions can be hard to measure.

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Journal of Medical Entomology
Volume 59, Issue 2, March 2022

Sheppard, J.G. 2021.  Record Longevity and Reproduction of an African Tick, Argas brumpti (Ixodida: Argasidae). J. Med. Entomol. [https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjab205].

Abstract:  Argas brumpti Neumann is a large argasid (soft) tick that inhabits the drier areas of eastern and southern Africa. This species typically feeds on a wide variety of small to large mammals (including humans) and lizards, and resides in shallow caves, rocky areas, or dust-bath areas used by large mammals. Individuals of this species, collected as nymphs and adults from a semidesert area of Kenya and subsequently maintained under constant conditions in the laboratory, survived for 27 yr. Furthermore, after 8 yr of starvation and at least 4 yr after the last male died, at least one female laid eggs. The progeny developed into considerable numbers of both males and females, some of which are still living after 26 yr. The longevity of these ticks is apparently a record for any species of tick. The delay in reproduction likely represents long-term storage of viable sperm, also apparently a record for any species of tick. 

The bionomics of this species of Argasidae is similar to that of the Pajahuello tick Ornithodoros coriaceus that is found in the foothills of California in and around deer and cattle bedding areas, where it is the known vector of the deltaproteobacterium that causes Epizootic Bovine Abortion.   Addressing this cattle industry problem was one the primary reasons for establishing the UC School of Veterinary Medicine at Davis. 

From the New York Times
March 14, 2022

Public health measures to stop the spread of Covid-19 had an unintended consequence across Latin America and Southeast Asia in 2020: Dengue virus infections were prevented in hundreds of thousands of people, according to a study published in The Lancet this month. The research offers clues for new strategies to combat a dangerous tropical disease that had been infecting more people each year.

The research found a marked decline in infections from April 2020 across many regions where dengue is spread by mosquitoes; the study estimates that there were 720,000 fewer dengue cases globally in the first year of the pandemic because of restrictions on movement.

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From ESA Science Policy News
March 10, 2022

Congress has continued to kick the appropriations can down the road for fiscal year (FY) 2022, with a series of Continuing Resolutions (CRs), the latest of which is set to expire tomorrow, March 11. The Vector-Borne Disease Network (VBDN) sent a letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, as well as other relevant Congressional supporters, asking them to finalize the spending bills for FY 2022, rather than continuing to operate under ongoing CRs, and to support the $15 million in the House bill for the CDC Centers of Excellence on Vector-Borne Diseases.

The PacVec Center of Excellence at UC Davis and UC Riverside are funded through this CDC mechanism. 

From ABC News
February 17, 2022

Mosquitoes may be smarter than we think, and that could make getting rid of them and the diseases they carry even more difficult, according to new research.

Scientists who studied two species of mosquitoes that spread diseases such as dengue, Zika and West Nile fever — Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus — found that the females learned to avoid pesticides after a single non-lethal exposure, a study published Thursday in Nature found.

The researchers exposed the female mosquitoes to non-lethal doses of common anti-mosquito pesticides and found that mosquitoes that had been pre-exposed to a pesticide avoided passing through a pesticide-treated net in order to reach a food source at a higher rate than those who had not been pre-exposed, according to the paper.

In addition, the survival rate of pre-exposed mosquitoes was more than double that of mosquitoes that had not been pre-exposed.

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From the Colusa County Sun-Herald
February 16, 2022

As the weather begins to warm up, the Colusa Colusa Mosquito Abatement District is gearing up for the upcoming mosquito season and asking local residents to do their part.

“The effort consists primarily of a spray program to control adult mosquitoes using truck mounted foggers in both the urban and rural areas of the District, starting in late May,” said Colusa Mosquito Abatement District Manager Dan Kiely. “Control measures will only take place within the boundaries of the District which only include the town of Colusa and outlying areas around the town.” 

The District covers 160 square miles, with 20 square miles located in Sutter County. 

Kiely said aerial control of adult mosquitoes will also be conducted by aircraft in the wetland and duck club areas within the District utilizing materials registered with the Environmental Protection Agency. 

“The District also has a Larvacide program to control the immature stages of the mosquito, and will place larvicides in the catch basins throughout the District during the later spring months,” said Kiely. “Catch basins that maintain standing water throughout the mosquito season can be a major source of urban mosquitoes.” 

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