From KESQ
June 21, 2021

With National Mosquito Control Awareness week underway, Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District are pushing for residents to take action to avoid the pesky biters from spreading diseases.

In Coachella Valley vector control says there are three mosquito species that carry West Nile Virus, Dengue, and Zika.

In 2016 the Aeedes Aegypti Mosquito was found in the Coachella Valley. This specific mosquito is a common one that transmits viruses. Its appearance is small black and white, they’re aggressive day biters, and live in urban areas with people. This mosquito is also known to be hard to get rid of.

Next month, Cathedral City, Coachella, and Palm Springs are set to be sprayed with a treatment that would help deter mosquitos.

Cathedral City will be sprayed every Saturday, July 10-31; then every other Saturday August 14 and 28th.

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From CBS Sacramento
June 19, 2021

STOCKTON (CBS13) – West Nile Virus was detected in three samples of mosquitoes collected in Stockton, the San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District said on Friday.

The district said the samples were collected in zip codes 95207 and 95209.

According to the U.S. Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 5 people who are infected with WNV experience a fever and other symptoms. About 1 out of 150 develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness. There is no vaccine or medication for WNV found in people.

“Our surveillance system is designed for the earliest possible detection of WNV positive mosquitoes. With this find, the District will be increasing mosquito control efforts to further reduce the mosquito populations in these areas,” said district spokesperson Aaron Devencenzi. “However, residents need to take all necessary precautions to prevent mosquito bites.”

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From the Fresno Bee
June 18, 2021

Mosquitoes carrying the West Nile Virus have been discovered this week in southeast Fresno, spurring plans to deploy a spray truck to apply insecticide to kill the biting insects.

Katherine Ramirez of the Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District said Friday that the agency’s staff trapped a mosquito carrying the virus in the neighborhood south of Belmont Avenue between Clovis and Fowler avenues.

Spraying was planned for Friday evening, when the common house mosquitoes that can carry the virus are active, said Ramirez, the district’s science education coordinator.

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From the Visalia Times-Delta
June 18, 2021

Visalia Public Cemetery officials are urging the public to help reduce standing water to control a ballooning mosquito infestation. 

“Due to the increasing infestation of mosquitos, the cemetery needs to drastically reduce and attempt to eliminate standing water,” cemetery officials said in a press release. 

“The Cemetery District appreciates the public’s assistance in our efforts to eliminate mosquito breeding and helping us to keep the grounds safe and clean.”

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From the Manteca/Ripon Bulletin
June 17, 2021

San Joaquin County since 2004 has verified 178 human cases and 64 equine cases of mosquito borne West Nile Virus as well as 584 dead birds.

The first bird this year to die from the West Nile Virus was a wild finch found in the Ripon area.

The West Nile Virus can make human sick and even kill them. There have been 326 human deaths  in California — including in San Joaquin County — from the West Nile Virus during the past 15 years.

Mosquitoes transmit the West Nile Virus as well as the potentially deadly yellow fever that has been detected in San Joaquin County for the past three years.

It is why the San Joaquin County Mosquito & Vector Control District is urging residents to take advantage of the free mosquitofish distribution they are conducting  in the South County.

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From the California News Times
June 15, 2021

Aedes albopictus is a new invasive species that has recently inhabited Southern California.

Monday, June 7th was the first positive test for West Nile virus (WNV) in Los Angeles County by San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District The creature in question (SGVMVCD) was the carcass of a crow collected in South Pasadena. The discovery of positive dead birds emphasizes that WNV may be circulating in the area.

SGVMVCD, one of several vector animal management districts in Los Angeles County, focuses on mosquito-related data in the area, according to its website. The collection of statistics submitted for epidemiological studies relies on public reports of dead birds in the community. A collection of 10-50 mosquitoes from the trap. Regularly check for illness in adult women. Monitoring of stagnant water sources that encapsulate swimming pools, gutters, and storm drains.

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From CBS 13
June 12, 2021

MODESTO (CBS13) – The West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquitoes collected on June 2, the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency announced on Friday.

The mosquitoes were from the northeastern part of the city, and no human cases have been detected yet. Stanislaus County said it only has one positive sample of the virus.

According to Stanislaus health officials, as of June 10, the virus has now been detected in five California counties: Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Kern and Los Angeles. Additionally, the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District recorded a positive sample in Yolo County on June 8.

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From the Escalon Times
June 9, 2021

The San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District’s mosquito surveillance system has detected the invasive yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) again, for the third consecutive year, in the Brookside area of Stockton.

“This is the earliest find of the yellow fever mosquito in the last three years for San Joaquin County,” said Aaron Devencenzi, Public Information Officer of the District. “The public can help prevent the spread of these invasive mosquitoes by calling in daytime biting mosquitoes to the District.”

The District will continue surveillance efforts by placing traps used to collect adult mosquitoes and mosquito eggs. Additional measures may include the District’s staff conducting door-to-door inspections of the residential area near the recent Aedes aegypti detection.

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From the Claremont-La Verne Patch
June 9, 2021

Property owners and residents are reminded that standing water found around the home in cans, buckets, discarded tires, bird baths, and clogged rain gutters can create a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Please perform routine inspections of yard areas of standing water and containers that may hold water. Unmaintained swimming pools, spas, and decorative fountains can also become a potential breeding ground. Property owners and residents are reminded to perform routine maintenance on a regular basis. They should be kept in operable condition and free of algae growth. If you see a pool, pond, or fountain that appears unfiltered or contains green, stagnant water, please contact the Community Improvement Division at (909) 399-5467, or the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District at (626) 814-9466.

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From CBS Sacramento
June 8, 2021

San Joaquin County (CBS13) – Mosquitoes that carry yellow fever have been detected in San Joaquin County.

Invasive species were found in the Brookside area of ​​Stockton, according to the county’s mosquitoes and vector management area. This is the third consecutive year that this Aedes aegypti has been discovered in the prefecture.

“This is the earliest discovery of Aedes aegypti in San Joaquin County in the last three years.” The general public can prevent the spread of these invading mosquitoes by attracting daytime bites to the area. “

Yellow fever is a fatal illness that can lead to bleeding and organ failure.

The district said it would continue its surveillance activities by installing traps to collect insect and mosquito eggs.

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From the South Pasadena Patch
June 7, 2021

From IFL Science
June 4, 2021

Scientists from Colorado State University have found the genetic material of the Zika virus in free-ranging African bats. This discovery is the first reported detection of RNA from this virus in bats outside of controlled experiments. As reported in Scientific Reports, the animals seem to be infected naturally, or via the bite of infected mosquitos.

The Zika virus is part of the Flaviviridae family, which also includes the West Nile and dengue viruses, which are all mosquito-borne diseases in humans so it is crucial to understand how they might spread in animals too.

The team analyzed 198 samples from bats gathered in the Zika Forest and surrounding areas in Uganda. Four bats, from three different species, had the Zika virus RNA. Most of the samples predate the major Zika outbreaks, which started in Micronesia and French Polynesia before moving to the Americas.

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From the Colusa County Sun Herald
June 2, 2021

Colusa Mosquito Abatement District Manager Dan Kiely said as the weather begins to warm up, mosquito production will increase as well. 

“People have been more cautious lately when it comes to venturing outside,” said Kiely. “Now that we are beginning to experience more outdoor activities, it is very important to protect ourselves from being exposed to mosquitoes. Nicer weather has many of us spending more time in our yards. Now is a great time to look for any standing water that may become a mosquito problem, such as neglected swimming pools, bird baths, clogged rain gutters, old buckets, tires and pet water dishes.”

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From the Daily Democrat
June 1, 2021

The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District confirmed the first mosquito samples of the season have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). The two mosquito samples were collected from central Galt.

“As we expected, the very warm weather we’ve had recently increased the number of mosquitoes and accelerated virus activity,” District Manager Gary Goodman said. “It’s important for residents to take these findings seriously and do everything they can to protect themselves.”

Three birds picked up from Galt also tested positive for the virus. This is the only area within district boundaries where WNV has been detected.

Last year in California there were 231 confirmed human cases of the disease, including 11 fatalities.

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From the Sacramento Bee
June 1, 2021

Local mosquito control officials said Tuesday that workers have confirmed Sacramento County’s first two positive cases of West Nile virus in mosquitoes of 2021, in the same area the virus was recently detected in dead birds.

The two samples came from central Galt, according to a news release from the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District. The district announced last Wednesday that it picked up three dead birds in Galt that had tested positive for the virus.

“As we expected, the very warm weather we’ve had recently increased the number of mosquitoes and accelerated virus activity,” said mosquito district manager Gary Goodman in a statement.

From The Science Times
May 28, 2021

Three scrub jays found dead in the Galt area tested positive for the West Nile virus, confirming the first case of a disease potentially fatal to humans in Sacramento County, health officials have reported.

The California scrub jay (Aphelocoma californica) is a species of scrub jay native to western North America whose range is from southern British Columbia to all of California then western Nevada near Reno to west of the Sierra Nevada. 

Galt City (2010 population: 23,647) is part of the Sacramento County metropolitan area.  

The case of the nesting scrub jays was first reported by the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District officials on May 26. They said birds like crows, magpies, and scrub jays are especially susceptible to the virus, noting that the discovery of the birds with West Nile virus is a “good reminder” for people that the virus is present in the area.

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From the Sacramento Bee
May 26, 2021

Sacramento County’s first positive West Nile virus cases of 2021 have been detected in dead birds.

The birds — three nestling scrub jays — were found recently in the Galt area, the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District said in a news release Wednesday.

“Finding the first indication of West Nile activity is always significant because it provides an early warning,” said Gary Goodman, manager of the mosquito and vector district, in a statement. “It confirms that the virus is present, shows us where we may find positive mosquito samples and where human cases may develop later in the season.”

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From the Capitol Weekly
May 26, 2021

One thing we have learned from the COVID-19 pandemic is that there is an immense need to invest in public health and disease prevention tools before there is another widespread outbreak. While we cannot fix the past, we do have an opportunity to ensure California residents are protected from debilitating and deadly diseases in the future.

Our changing climate has enabled the spread of invasive mosquitoes capable of transmitting exotic viruses such as Zika, dengue, and yellow fever. According to the California Department of Public Health, over the last ten years, invasive Aedes mosquitoes have spread to more than 300 cities and towns in 22 California counties. They are different from those that are found naturally in California in that they exploit small, often unnoticed water sources and thrive in people’s backyards and patios—areas where intervention by mosquito and vector control districts is costly and time-consuming.

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From UW Medicine Newsroom
May 20, 2021

A new device will let doctors monitor infants and toddlers who are asymptomatic with Zika after contracting the virus in utero from their mothers, according to a recently published report  in the journal Physiological Measurement.

A team of researchers, led by Dr. Martin Frasch, an OB-GYN researcher  with the University of Washington School of Medicine, studied whether an electrocardiogram (ECG) would detect heart abnormalities in infants and toddlers months or years after their exposure. They found that, in fact, they could by using a device about the size of a small hockey puck.

“These toddlers are otherwise without any clinical symptoms, but retain this memory of exposure to the Zika virus in utero,” Frasch said. “What seems to connect the dots here is that the Zika virus may create a hypoxic environment for the fetus by its effects on placental physiology. Consequently what we are seeing here appears to be the signature of chronic hypoxia caused by the Zika virus impacting the heart rate variabiliy of the toddlers in this very specific way.”

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From San Joaquin County MVCD
May 14, 2021

(STOCKTON, CA) – San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District’s (District) mosquito-borne disease surveillance program recently detected West Nile virus (WNV) in a dead bird (wild finch) collected in the Ripon area, zip code 95366. “This is the first find of WNV activity in San Joaquin County for 2021,” said Aaron Devencenzi, Public Information Officer of the District. “With warm weather, mosquito populations will continue to increase, leading to an elevated risk of WNV in humans,” said Devencenzi.

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From NBC Los Angeles
May 6, 2021

It’s that time of year again: it’s time for swimming, 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 over the last few years that you’ve 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 they have the potential to carry harmful diseases, including the Zika virus. 

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From the Fountain Valley Patch
May 5, 2021

From the Visalia Times Delta
April 28, 2021

An invasive mosquito species that feasts on humans during the day has seen an uptick in Visalia neighborhoods.

The special district that manages the pests may seek a property tax assessment to help control the mosquito menaces, called Aedes aegypti or Yellow Fever Mosquito.

The species was rediscovered in Tulare County in 2017 and its population has exploded in the years since. The aggressive mosquito is a daytime biter — unlike most native California species — and can breed on any source of freshwater, including plant trays and pet water dishes. 

The mosquito can carry deadly diseases, such as Yellow Fever, Dengue, and Zika. None of these viruses have been transmitted within California, yet, according to the Department of Public Health, but have become widespread in other parts of the world where the mosquito is active.

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From The Ceres Courier
April 28, 2021

As the temperatures increase, so do the number of mosquitoes which are responsible for spreading diseases such as West Nile Virus and Saint Louis encephalitis virus. The Turlock Mosquito Abatement District – which includes Ceres – reminds residents to take steps to prevent mosquitoes and mosquito‐borne diseases.

During 2020, mosquitoes were responsible for causing 231 human cases and 20 horse cases of West Nile Virus in California. In Stanislaus County, there were 36 human WNV cases along with three horse cases during 2020. There was also one human case of St. Louis encephalitis virus.

The district urges residents to “Dump and Drain” standing water around their properties.

“Preventing opportunities for mosquitoes to breed around your home can help protect you and your family,” said David Heft, general manager for Turlock Mosquito Abatement District.

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From the Turlock Journal
April 28, 2021

As pleasant spring temperatures transition into sweltering summer days and nights, mosquitoes will be more active and looking to make a meal of any arm, leg, neck, etc. they can find. Along with their ravenous appetite comes a risk of contracting West Nile Virus and St. Louis encephalitis.

Both the Turlock and Eastside Mosquito Abatement Districts would like to remind residents to take steps like “Dump and Drain” to prevent mosquitoes and mosquito‐borne diseases.

In 2020, California recorded 231 cases of West Nile Virus in humans and 20 cases in horses. Of the 231 human cases, 11 were fatal, according to the California Department of Public Health.

Stanislaus County saw 36 cases of West Nile Virus in humans and three in horses. The county also recorded one human case of St. Louis encephalitis.

As of April 23, there have been no cases of West Nile Virus reported in California.

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From KGET.com
April 27, 2021

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Kern County Mosquito and Vector Control will provide an update on this year’s mosquito season on Wednesday.

This time last year Kern County saw an uptick of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which are also known as ankle-biters. This breed of mosquito can bite multiple times, and transmit dangerous viruses such as Zika, Yellow Fever, Dengue Fever and more. None of these viruses have been detected in the county.

Kern County Mosquito and Vector Control will also provide tips to avoid being bitten.

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From The Union
April 22, 2021

The Nevada County Environmental Health Department Vector Control Program will be holding Mosquito Fish Giveaways at the Eric Rood Administrative Building, 950 Maidu Ave, Nevada City. All giveaways will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Drive-thru pick-ups only; please remain in your car. Containers will be provided to safely take the fish home.

This year’s dates will be May 6 and 20; June 3 and 17; and July 1.

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From KCRA3
April 21, 2021

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — It’s Mosquito and West Nile Virus Awareness Week in California.

As the weather gets warmer, the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District is urging families to do their part to stop mosquitoes from multiplying.

Experts said we need to be extra vigilant for the next six months.

More mosquitoes are out, and they aren’t just a nuisance — they carry diseases like West Nile virus.

It’s important to do weekly checks of our homes, draining any standing water that may produce mosquitoes outside.

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From The Escalon Times
April 21, 2021

As outdoor activity increases and temperatures rise, local residents are being encouraged to prevent mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases. The focus is especially on that topic now, during California Mosquito Awareness Week, being observed April 18 through 24.

The San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District (District) also requests residents to remove standing water on their properties.

“As daily temperatures increase, the District’s staff is working to keep mosquitoes and mosquito-borne disease under control,” said Aaron Devencenzi, Public Information Officer of the District. “Mosquito prevention is everyone’s responsibility, so dump and drain standing water and tip and toss containers.”

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From the San Joaquin County MVCD
April 19, 2021

(STOCKTON, CA) – San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District (District) requests residents to remove standing water on their properties. As daily temperatures increase, the District’s staff is working to keep mosquitoes and mosquito-borne disease under control”, said Aaron Devencenzi, Public Information Officer of the District. “Mosquito prevention is everyone’s responsibility, so dump and drain standing water and tip and toss containers,” said Devencenzi.

We encourage people to use our mosquitofish for neglected swimming pools, animal water troughs, water features, and ornamental ponds.  Mosquitofish can be obtained by calling the District’s main office for delivery, with no charge, throughout San Joaquin County. Also, follow these tips to prevent mosquito-borne disease:

• Apply insect repellent containing EPA-registered active ingredients, including DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535, according to label instructions, when outdoors. Repellents keep mosquitoes from biting.
• Avoid spending time outside when mosquitoes are most active, at dawn and dusk, especially for the first two hours after sunset.
• When outdoors, wear long pants, loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts, and other protective clothing.

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From the Lake County News
April 18, 2021

Notwithstanding February’s cold snap in Texas and Louisiana, climate change is leading to warmer winter weather throughout the southern U.S., creating a golden opportunity for many tropical plants and animals to move north, according to a new study in the journal Global Change Biology.

Some of these species may be welcomed, such as sea turtles and the Florida manatee, which are expanding their ranges northward along the Atlantic Coast.

Others, like the invasive Burmese python — in the Florida Everglades, the largest measured 18 feet, end-to-end – maybe less so.

Equally unwelcome, and among the quickest to spread into warming areas, are the insects, including mosquitoes that carry diseases such as West Nile virus, Zika, dengue and yellow fever, and beetles that destroy native trees.

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From The Daily Republic
April 16, 2021

FAIRFIELD — Nicer weather draws more people outside, and that draws mosquitoes.

“As the weather warms up and residents head outside, it’s important to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites,” said Truc Dever, president of the Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California, in a statement. “Doing a weekly check around your yard and dumping and draining all standing water is an easy way to eliminate mosquitoes in your community.”

At the top of concerns about mosquito bites is the West Nile virus.

There is no human vaccine for the virus, a disease that can cause debilitating cases of meningitis, encephalitis and even death.

“In 2020, there were 231 human West Nile virus disease cases from 26 counties in California, including 11 human deaths. Since 2003, more than 7,000 human disease cases were reported including more than 300 deaths,” the association reported.

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From The Daily Campus
April 8, 2021

A University of Connecticut associate professor recently had successful results in animal trials and is moving onto the next steps to produce a Zika virus vaccine.  

Paulo Verardi, associate professor of virology and vaccinology, with help from then Ph.D. student Brittany Jasperse, were among the first researchers to file for a grant with the National Institutes of Health and receive a federal grant to work on a Zika vaccine.  

In the pre-clinical animal trials, the mice that were given a single dose Zika virus vaccine showed no sign of the disease in their bodies or blood. For the ones in the placebo group who did not receive the vaccination, they did allow replication of the virus.  

“The animals that were vaccinated did not show evidence of virus replication,” Verardi said. “We could not detect the virus in them.”  

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From Pasadena Now
April 6, 2021

The San Gabriel Valley saw no deaths from West Nile virus during the pandemic lockdown, and vector control officials say they are hoping to continue the trend by reminding residents to get rid of standing water on their properties to prevent the mosquitoes that transmit the illness, and others, from breeding.

The region generally sees several deaths from West Nile virus each year, San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District spokesman Levy Sun said.

“But in 2020, we didn’t see that at all. And we were really, really grateful for everyone’s participation in mosquito control. Because we always say mosquito control is a shared responsibility. And 2020, despite all the odds, proves that to be true.

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From NBC KOBI
April 5, 2021

JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — As the weather gets warmer, Jackson County Vector Control wants to remind you to protect yourself and your pets.

Mosquitoes and ticks come out as the seasons change, they can carry diseases like West Nile Virus and Lyme Disease.

Biologists at the vector control center said there are ways to stay safe this spring and summer.

“If they can look for any kind of sources that might be in their backyard or close to them,” said Jeoff Taylor with Jackson Co. Vector Control,” uncovered boats that the plug may still be in, or the leaves are up against it and create a big pool or pocket of water.”

People are encouraged to vaccinate their pets, wear repellent or long sleeves and pants. Officials said you can protect your home by using screens on windows and doors.

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From Science Daily
April 1, 2021

UConn researcher Paulo Verardi, associate professor of pathobiology and veterinary science in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, has demonstrated the success of a vaccine against Zika virus and recently published his findings in Scientific Reports, a Nature Research publication. He has also filed provisional patent for the novel vaccine platform technology used to generate the vaccine, as well as genetic modifications made to the vaccine that significantly enhance expression of the vaccine antigen.

From Cal Poly News
March 2021

SAN LUIS OBISPO — A new study from Cal Poly and the University of South Florida (USF) is the first to provide direct evidence that light pollution is driving infectious disease patterns in nature.

The research team previously determined mosquitoes and birds are attracted to artificial light at night, greatly enhancing the likelihood that the insects will spread West Nile virus to animals and humans.

Their new findings published this week in the “Proceedings of the Royal Society B” are in contrast to previous studies that have blamed urbanization due to its human population density and breeding hotspots, such as drainage systems.

“Research from our team members at USF had shown in lab-based studies that light pollution could potentially influence West Nile virus risk,” said Clinton Francis, a Cal Poly biology professor and corresponding study author, “but our study is the first to show how light pollution can affect risk of West Nile virus in the real world, and better explains patterns of risk than environmental variables previously thought important.”

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