Submitted by the MVCAC VVBD Committee

Wang L, et al. VIRULENCE. 2025, VOL. 16, NO. 1, https://doi.org/10.1080/21505594.2025.2580162 

ABSTRACT. Recent increases in cases of western equine encephalitis (WEE) in South America have raised significant concerns about the virus’s potential to cause an endemic disease due to its adaptation to mosquito vectors. Currently, there are no effective vaccines or treatments for WEEV, despite ongoing research into various biochemical products in animal models. The virus presents different pathological effects depending on the host. In humans, WEEV infection leads to central nervous system damage, resulting in encephalitis and severe neurological sequelae, which underscores theneed for further research into its pathogenic mechanisms. To enhance understanding of WEEV and address potential threats, this review focuses on the virus’s natural transmission cycle, the development of biochemical products for combating WEEV infection, and new diagnosis methods. It also highlights research on mechanisms in animal models, offering potential strategies for defending against WEEV.

Note: This paper did not review well the current risk assessment model and response in California which was created initially for WEEV and SLEV.

Submitted by the MVCAC VVBD Committee

Scroggs SL, et al. Sci Rep 15, 27368 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11337-8.

Abstract:

Oropouche virus (OROV) is a vector-borne zoonotic virus that causes febrile illness in humans. Biting midges of the Culicoides genus are the primary vectors during human outbreaks. The 2022–2024 OROV outbreak has seen an increase in incidence, geographic expansion, and the emergence of previously undocumented symptoms. To better understand the basis of increased disease incidence, infection of the outbreak virus (OROV²⁴⁰⁰²³) was compared to a historical virus strain (rOROVBeAn19991) in Culicoides sonorensis, a midge species that has demonstrated historical competence. Higher levels of infection, dissemination, and transmission potential were observed in C. sonorensis infected with the outbreak strain compared to the historical strain, although infectious titers did not differ between the two viruses. OROV²⁴⁰⁰²³ was also detected in saliva at earlier time points than rOROVBeAn19991, indicating a shorter extrinsic incubation period of < 5 days compared to 7–14 days for rOROVBeAn19991. Taken together, our results demonstrate increased transmission potential of the outbreak strain in C. sonorensis midges, raising concern about the risk of spread within the United States following potential introduction. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the current strain in Culicoides species occurring within its outbreak range, including Culicoides paraensis, the confirmed South American vector of OROV.

Note: Culicoides sonorensis is found throughout California were it is the primary vector of blue tongue virus of cattle and sheep.

Submitted by the MVCAC VVBD Committee

Submitted by the MVCAC VVBD Committee

Hughes HR, et al. 2023. Journal of Medical Entomology, 60(6), 2023, 1230–1241 https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjad058

Abstract:

Cache Valley virus (CVV) is a mosquito-borne virus in the genus Orthobunyavirus (Bunyavirales: Peribunyaviridae) that has been identified as a teratogen in ruminants causing fetal death and severe malformations during epizootics in the U.S. CVV has recently emerged as a viral pathogen causing severe disease in humans. Despite its emergence as a public health and agricultural concern, CVV has yet to be significantly studied by the scien- tific community. Limited information exists on CVV’s geographic distribution, ecological cycle, seroprevalence in humans and animals, and spectrum of disease, including its potential as a human teratogen. Here, we present what is known of CVV’s virology, ecology, and clinical disease in ruminants and humans. We discuss the current diagnostic techniques available and highlight gaps in our current knowledge and considerations for future research.

Note: Serosurveys of rabbits and sheep in California failed to detect antibodies against CVV, although previous infection with related Lokern and 5 other Bunyaviruses were detected frequently. CVV is transmitted by Culiseta inornata in the NW USA as is Jamestown Canyon virus which has caused outbreaks in sheep. The current arbovirus testing program using RT-PCR will not detect any of these Bunyaviruses.

Submitted by the MVCAC VVBD Committee

Dean et al. N Engl J Med 2025;393:1387-98. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2501069

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND Targeted indoor residual spraying focuses insecticide applications on common resting surfaces of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (an arboviral disease vector) in houses, such as exposed lower sections of walls and under furniture.

METHODS We conducted a two-group, parallel, unblinded, cluster-randomized trial in Merida, Mexico, to quantify the efficacy of targeted indoor residual spraying for preventing Aedes-borne diseases (chikungunya, dengue, or Zika). Children 2 to 15 years of age were enrolled from households in 50 clusters of five-by-five city blocks. Households in 25 clusters received an annual application of targeted indoor residual spraying (intervention) before each season of Aedes-borne disease (July through December). All clusters received routine Ministry of Health vector control. The primary end point was laboratory-confirmed, symptomatic Aedes-borne disease. Community effects were assessed with the use of geolocated national surveillance data.

RESULTS A total of 4461 children were monitored for up to three seasons (2021, 2022, and 2023). The indoor density of A. aegypti mosquitoes was 59% (95% confidence interval [CI], 51 to 65) lower with the intervention than with control. A total of 422 cases of aedes-borne disease were confirmed, primarily dengue in 2023. In the per-protocol analysis of cluster centers, 91 cases occurred among 1038 participants in the intervention group and 89 cases among 1037 participants in the control group (efficacy, −12.8%; 95% CI, −60.7 to 23.0). In an intention-to-treat analysis of entire clusters, 198 cases occurred among 2239 participants in the intervention group and 199 cases among 2222 participants in the control group (efficacy, 3.9%; 95% CI, −28.1 to 26.7). Adjustment of analyses for mobility or demographic characteristics did not change results. On the basis of 150 cases in the intervention clusters and 202 in the control clusters that were geolocated, the estimated community effect of the intervention was 24.0% (95% CI, 6.0 to 38.6). Two cases of multisymptom adverse events (e.g., nausea, watery eyes, diarrhea, and vomiting) were associated with the intervention.

CONCLUSIONS Despite lower entomologic indexes with targeted indoor residual spraying than with routine vector control, the cumulative incidence of Aedes-borne diseases was not significantly lower with targeted indoor residual spraying.

Note: Indoor residual insecticide treatments are not new and were the primary approach to Anopheles control during malaria eradication efforts when all indoor surfaces of all houses were sprayed. The results herein show that mosquito population reduction >60% is necessary to prevent disease and that targeted control may be inadequate.

Submitted by the MVCAC VVBD Committee

Crawford, JE, et al. 2025.

Science 18 Sep 2025 Vol 389, Issue 6766 DOI: 10.1126/science.ads3732

Abstract. The emergence and global expansion of Aedes aegypti puts more than half of all humans at risk of arbovirus infection, but the origin of this mosquito and the impact of contemporary gene flow on arbovirus control are unclear. We sequenced 1206 genomes from 73 globally distributed locations. After evolving a preference for humans in Sahelian West Africa, the invasive subspecies Ae. aegypti aegypti (Aaa) emerged in the Americas after the Atlantic slave trade era and expanded globally. Recent back-to-Africa Aaa migration introduced insecticide resistance and anthropophily into regions with recent dengue outbreaks, raising concern that Aaa movement could increase arbovirus risk in urban Africa. These data underscore developing complexity in the fight against dengue, Zika, and chikungunya and provide a platform to further study this important mosquito vector.

Submitted by the MVCAC VVBD Committee

Birhanie, SB, et al. J. Am. Mosq. Control Assoc. 41(3): 134-142.

ABSTRACT. The In2Care Mosquito Station, which uses biological control agents to target Aedes mosquitoes, has shown promise when integrated into existing integrated vector management strategies. This study evaluated the impact of pre-season deployment of In2Care stations on Ae. aegypti populations. Two cohorts were established: 1 with 17 sites deploying stations pre-season (April–November), and another with 15 sites deploying during peak season (July–November), maintained during 2022–2024. Monthly BG-2 Sentinel trap data showed a significant reduction in Ae. aegypti abundance at pre-season In2Care sites: from 31.2 mosquitoes/trap-night in 2022 to 20.1 in 2023 and 13.2 in 2024, with a year-to-year reduction of 34–36%. Peak-season In2Care sites showed a 24–36% reduction in mosquito abundance four weeks post-deployment. Pre-season In2Care sites maintained 22–34% lower mosquito abundance than peak-season sites. These results demonstrate that early deployment of In2Care stations prior to the mosquito season significantly reduces Ae. aegypti populations and reinforces the existing integrated vector management programs.

Submitted by the MVCAC VVBD Committee

Submitted by the MVCAC VVBD Committee

Entomology Today

https://entomologytoday.org/2025/08/28/survey-entomologists-scientists-report-negative-impacts-government-actions/impacts-federal-policies-science-infographic/

In a survey of nearly 1,400 scientists released August 25, 2025, 83% said federal government policies since January 20, 2025, had caused an “extremely negative impact” or “irreparable harm” on their field of science. The survey reached members of more than a dozen scientific societies in the U.S. in ecology, evolution, and marine science, including ESA. These and other findings provide in-depth insights into how recent policy changes have affected the scientific research enterprise that supports national priorities and public welfare in the U.S.

A comprehensive survey of scientists across ecology, evolution, marine, and other life sciences points to significant disruptions to federal research programs following executive branch actions in 2025. The study, which gathered responses from nearly 1,400 members of scientific societies nationwide—including the Entomological Society of America—documents widespread impacts on research critical to American interests including food security, flood mitigation, infectious disease preparedness, and wildlife conservation.

The survey captured perspectives from scientists across all career stages and sectors, including academia, federal government, nonprofit organizations, and industry, with respondents geographically distributed throughout the United States.

Key Findings

Notable sentiments among survey respondents include:

83% of respondents said that federal policies since January 20, 2025, had “extremely negative impact” or “irreparable harm” on their field of science. Large portions of respondents reported that federal policies caused uncertainty about the future (85%) and increased stress and anxiety (79%). 71% of respondents said that US federal training programs were “very important” or “extremely important” to their development as scientists.

Respondents also shared comments about the impacts that underscored several common themes:

Research disruptions. Federal policies and workforce restructuring have caused significant interruptions to ongoing scientific work. Respondents reported disruptions to summer data collection projects and long-term monitoring programs due to direct funding cuts or uncertainty about potential cuts. These disruptions affect research supporting critical national priorities including food security, flood mitigation, infectious disease response, and wildlife management.

Restrictions on scientific communication. Scientists reported experiencing restrictions on free speech and travel, along with chilling effects that discourage open scientific discourse. Survey participants also noted censorship of scientific terminology and expressed concerns about the federal government’s ability to meet legal mandates enacted by Congress.

Loss of institutional knowledge. Reductions in force have led to decreased government efficiency and significant loss of institutional knowledge within the federal workforce, the survey found. Respondents documented delayed funding decisions, postponed collaborative research projects, and increased waste from cancellation of in-progress studies. Some participants reported breakdowns in longstanding collaborative relationships between federal agencies and state governments, academic institutions, nonprofits, and industry partners.

Training program impacts. Quantitative data from the survey highlight the critical role of federally funded programs in developing the next generation of scientists. Respondents reported severe impacts, including cancellation of undergraduate training programs, cuts to graduate admissions at universities, rescinded job offers, and reductions in merit-based fellowship programs. Scientists across career stages expressed concern about an emerging bottleneck for early-career researchers and potential long-term consequences for scientific fields.

Concerns about information integrity. Survey participants raised concerns about potential bias in or removal of information from federal sources, as well as threats to the viability of established federal programs.

Long-Term Implications

Some respondents indicated that certain harms may already be irreparable, citing disruptions to time-sensitive data collection, lost training opportunities, damaged career prospects, and harm to communities served by federal scientific programs due to the loss of institutional expertise.

The survey results provide the first systematic documentation of how recent federal policy changes have affected the scientific research enterprise that supports national priorities and public welfare.

Learn More

“Summer 2025 Survey Results”

The Impacts of U.S. Federal and State Policies on Science

Adapted from a press release originally published August 20, 2025.

Submitted by the MVCAC VVBD Committee

https://www.astmh.org

Free Webinar Translating Science: Communicating Medical Entomology to Diverse Audiences

August 15, 10:30 am Central Time

Explore how current medical entomologists from a wide array of professional sectors communicate their research and operations to the public and other stakeholders. The goal of this webinar will be to give trainees insight into how entomological science and its applications are communicated effectively to various audiences and how to start becoming an effective communicator while in the midst of graduate studies.

Panelists:

Krystal Birungi, BS Entomologist, Research and Outreach Associate, Target Malaria, London, England, United Kingdom

Molly Duman Scheel, PhD ASTMH Member, Navari Family Professor, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame Eck Institute for Global Health, South Bend, Indiana, United States

Sarah Michaels, PhD, MSPH ASTMH Member, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Tropical Medicine & Infectious Disease, Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Maria Luísa Simões, PhD ASTMH Member, Associate Professor, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

Ryan Smith, PhD ASTMH Member, Associate Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States

Chairs:

• Emre Aksoy, PhD Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
• Max McClure, MD, MS ASTMH Post-Doc Member, Infectious Diseases Fellow, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States
• Olayinka M. Olajiga, Bsc, MSc ASTMH Student Member, PhD Student, Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
• Akilah Stewart, PhD ASTMH Post-Doc Member, Postdoctoral Fellow, Indiana University School of Medicine, South Bend, Indiana, United States
• Donald Ward, MSPH ASTMH Student Member, PhD Candidate, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States

This webinar will be recorded and later available to ASTMH members on GOTropMEd. Questions? Contact Buffy Finn, Membership, Subgroups and Courses Manager.

Submitted by the MVCAC VVBD Committee

Sasmita HI, Neoh K-B, Ernawan B, Indarwatmi M, Nasution IA, Fitrianto N, et al. (2025) PLoS Negl Trop Dis 19(7): e0013290. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal

Abstract. Background. Implementing the sterile insect technique (SIT) in areas with high-density target mosquito populations throughout the year is challenging. This study evaluated the effectiveness of releasing radiation-sterilized male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which were subjected to pre-release control measures in a highly urbanized city.

Methodology/Principal findings. A mark–release–recapture (MRR) trial was conducted to assess the performance of sterile male mosquitoes. The MRR results revealed that the life expectancy of irradiated mosquitoes was 1.2–8.8 days, and that their mean dispersal distance was 60.0–64.3 m. The estimated wild male population ranged from 1,475–2,297 male mosquitoes/ha. In the SIT trial, sterile male A. aegypti mosquitoes were released at a rate of 9,000 male mosquitoes/week/ha for 24 weeks. Pre-release control measures, including chemical fogging (Fludora Co-Max EW) and breeding site removal, were employed at the release site. A buffer zone was established by applying residual insecticide (K-Othrine PolyZone SC) and releasing sterile male mosquitoes. In the SIT trial, relative to control sites, the site with sterile male mosquitoes had considerably greater sterility in the field population (greater by 86%), resulting in reductions in the ovitrap density index, and number of wild female mosquitoes captured. In contrast, no significant reduction in ovitrap index was observed. However, despite the gradual recording of low values for egg hatching, ovitrap density index, and female capture, mosquito suppression was incomplete. The mosquito population rebounded shortly after the release of sterile male mosquitoes ended.

Conclusions/Significance. This study underscores the critical role of integrated vector management when the SIT is implemented in highly urbanized areas. It also emphasizes the importance of combining vector control interventions to ensure they are tailored to the geographic context based on logistical feasibility, available local facilities, and local knowledge of the vector.

From ASTMH

Free ACME Webinar

From Science to Solution: SIT in the Fight Against Vectors

August 6, 2025, 1 pm ET/12 pm CT/10 am PT

Join us for an engaging and timely webinar, From Science to Solution: SIT in the Fight Against Vectors, designed to raise awareness and foster informed dialogue around the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) as a cutting-edge, science-based approach to vector control.

This session will bridge the gap between scientific research and practical implementation, showcasing how SIT has evolved from controlled laboratory experiments into real-world operational programs. Panelists will share insights into the biological principles behind SIT, present compelling case studies from successful deployments, and explore how SIT fits within broader Integrated Vector Management (IVM) strategies.

The webinar will also create a dynamic platform for collaboration and exchange among key stakeholders: researchers, public health professionals, policymakers and development partners. Together, we will examine the opportunities, challenges and policy directions critical for scaling SIT as a sustainable solution in the global fight against vector-borne diseases. Whether you’re new to SIT or looking to expand your knowledge of innovative vector control strategies, this event will equip you with the knowledge and inspiration needed to support evidence-based mosquito management.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the movement turning science into impactful public health solutions.

Register Now

Panelists:

Solomon K. Birhanie, PhD

Panel Chair, ASTMH Member, Scientific Director, West Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District, United States

Presentation Title: Aedes aegypti control using SIT

Alex Arp, PhD

Research Geneticist, USDA, Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory, United States

Presentation Title: Using SIT to control screwworm

Chantel De Beer

Medical Entomologist, Joint FAO/IAEA Center of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency, Austria

Presentation Title: Tse-tse fly eradication using SIT

Register Now

This webinar will be recorded and later available to ASTMH members on GOTropMEd. Questions? Contact Buffy Finn, Manager, Membership.

Submitted by the MVCAC VVBD Committee

Gould,CV, et al. 2025. JAMA. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.8737 Published on line July7,2025.

IMPORTANCE: West Nile virus (WNV), a neurotropic flavivirus spread by Culex species mosquitoes, is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the contiguous US. From 2014 to 2023, a mean of 1298 WNV neuroinvasive disease cases and 129 deaths were reported annually in the US.

Note: This Review focusses on the medical aspects of WNV, provides an update on the incidence of WNV in time and space within CONUS, and provides useful graphics describing pathogenesis in humans.

From The Spruce
July 1, 2025

Many homeowners and gardeners grow marigolds to deter mosquitoes and other pests. But do marigolds repel mosquitoes effectively, or are there better ways to keep mosquitoes out of your yard?

In this guide, experts share their advice on using marigolds for mosquito control, and provide all-natural tips for deterring mosquitoes without harmful toxins.

Will Marigolds Keep Mosquitoes Away?

Although marigolds are often recommended for mosquito control, they’re actually not a reliable way to keep mosquitoes at bay.

“There is no plant species that has been shown to repel mosquitoes in terms of just having the plant in your landscape—and that includes marigolds,” says entomologist Madeline Potter. “Some plants do contain chemical properties which can repel or deter pest insects, but these chemicals usually need to be physically extracted from the plant in order to significantly impact pests.”

This means that only concentrated scents like essential oils or candles will have a real repelling effect on mosquitoes. Stephen Abshier, from the Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California, agrees.

“Strong scents from plants, including marigolds, may confuse the mosquito’s sensory system and make it more difficult for them to locate people. But on their own, marigolds are unlikely to provide sufficient protection against mosquito bites,” he says.

Read more

Submitted by the MVCAC VVBD Committee

Submitted by the MVCAC VVBD Committee

2011–2019. K Yomogida, et al. 2025. Med Vet Entomol https://doi.org/10.1111/mve.12816

Abstract. In California, public health disease surveillance data for flea-borne typhus (FBT) are generated by healthcare providers and laboratories who are responsible for notifying local health jurisdictions when the disease is detected. When accounting for the associations between socioeconomic status (SES) factors (age, race and ethnicity, poverty, unemployment, housing status and land use), R. typhi reservoir host presence (e.g., rats, cats, opossums), and healthcare-seeking behaviours, it is reasonable to consider whether these factors also lead to under-reporting of FBT surveillance and distorted estimations of incidence. This study aimed to evaluate population-level associations between SES factors and FBT surveillance reporting using a Bayesian hierarchical model including a spatially autocorrelated random effect. Census tract-level covariates were sourced from the American Community Survey and Healthy Places Index (HPI). Specifying a zero-inflated Poisson distribution to FBT surveillance report counts, we estimated spatially smoothed, census tract-level estimates of FBT surveillance report rates and attributed variability in report rates to census tract characteristics. Socioeconomic advantage, as measured by the HPI, had the largest effect (IRR = 1.34 [1.07, 1.69]), corresponding to a 34% increase in FBT surveillance reporting for every point increase in HPI score for census tracts. The results herein suggest that FBT surveillance may be biased in its ascertainment of surveillance data, which may be helpful in contextualising and interpreting current trends in FBT epidemiology.

Submitted by the MVCAC VVBD Committee

Rubino, FI., et al. 2025. Journal of Medical Entomology, XX(XX), 2025, 1–10 https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjaf047

Abstract. In the far western United States, the bacterial agent of Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, is primarily transmitted to humans by the nymphal stage of the western black-legged tick, Ixodes pacificus. Predicting nymphal tick abundance would benefit public health but is complicated by the tick’s complex multi-year life cycle and data limitations. To address this, we used readily available climate data, a long-term dataset from northwestern California, and time lags based on the tick’s life cycle. Our model showed that warmer early spring temperatures during non-drought conditions the year prior predicted higher nymphal tick densities, while hot, dry springs the year prior were linked to earlier peaks in their abundance. Incorporating human induced climate change projections, we predicted earlier peaks of nymphal tick activity over the next century, with the potential for an initial doubling in questing nymph numbers. This approach provides a valuable tool for public health and offers insights into the changing dynamics of Lyme disease ecology in the far-western US.

Note: It would have beneficial to also have included the effects of climate variation on lizard and mouse host abundance.

Submitted by the MVCAC VVBD Committee

Andrews, E.S. et al. Journal of Medical Entomology, Volume 62, Issue 3, May 2025, Pages 690–699, https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjaf032

Abstract [shortened]: To determine the influence of elevation on the seasonality and abundance of Ixodes pacificus nymphs in the Sierra Nevada foothills of California, we used a standardized flagging procedure to sample nymphs from 4,720 rocks and logs at 16 sites during 168 surveillance events and collected 1,469 I. pacificus nymphs. Nymphal abundance was similar on rock and log substrates. Tick abundance and seasonality varied by elevation, with lower elevation sites exhibiting higher nymphal abundance and earlier seasonal activity. Nymphal activity started later and persisted longer into the summer months at higher elevation sites. Nymphal abundance on rocks and logs was not predictive of adult abundance the following year, as estimated by drag sampling for adult ticks along hiking trails within the nymph sampling areas. Overall, 4.9% and 1.4% of the tested nymphs were infected with Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. and B. miyamotoi, respectively. We found no relationship between elevation and B. burgdorferi s.l. infection prevalence, although fewer nymphs were tested from higher elevation sites. These findings advanced our understanding of I. pacificus nymphal abundance and distribution and helped improve assessment of public health risks associated with tick exposure in the Sierra Nevada foothills.

Submitted by the MVCAC VVBD Committee

Ohm, JR, et al. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg., 112(6), 2025, pp. 1313–1324 doi:10.4269/ajtmh.24-0262

Abstract. Male mosquitoes containing the endosymbiont Wolbachia (Wb1) can be used as a tool to suppress wild mosquito populations through a technique termed incompatible insect technique (IIT). IIT programs reduce wild mosquitoes via incompatible mating between released males and wild females to reduce the number of viable offspring produced in the next generation. Successful programs rely on regular release of incompatible males to outcompete wild males for female mates. Past IIT programs have relied on local production of Wb1 males to support regular releases of incompatible males. Here, we evaluated the survival and dispersal of packed and shipped Wb1 Aedes aegypti males in mark-release-recapture studies at a release site in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), separated by over 3,600 miles from the centralized production facility. Released mosquitoes were recaptured using BG-Sentinel 2 traps collected daily for up to 7 days after release. Wb1 male mosquitoes packed and shipped from a centralized production facility performed similarly to males that were locally reared in the BVI in survival, dispersal, and recapture rates. Our results support the conclusion that packing and shipping live Wb1 male mosquitoes does not impact their ability to survive and disperse in release sites and suggests that IIT mosquito control programs can feasibly be conducted nearly anywhere in the world without the need for local mosquito production facilities.

Note: This research indicates that MVCAC Districts considering IIT or SIT could procure incompatible/sterilized males from a distant production facility and release them locally as a preliminary ‘test of principle’ without having to first develop a local mosquito production facility.

California WNV and Dead Bird Call Center is open for reports from the public:

• Phone: 1-877-WNV-BIRD (1-877-968-2473)
• Online: https://westnile.ca.gov/report

*Note for 2025 season: The Call Center is able to take phone reports in Spanish. For questions about Call Center operations, please contact: Marie.Cerda@cdph.ca.gov

To assist with WNV outreach and communications, CDPH has resources and sample messaging available: 

• WNV & Mosquito Social Media Plan for Local Agencies (updated)
• WNV Sample Social Media
  • Updated graphics available
  • Dead bird reporting messages available in English and Spanish (see PR Committee Google Drive)
  • Please contact CDPH for other sample messaging in Spanish: VBDS@cdph.ca.gov
• WNV brochure (available in English and Spanish)
  • To order print copies free-of-charge, please email: VBDS@cdph.ca.gov

Submitted by the MVCAC VVBD Committee

J. Foley et al. 2024. JAVMA/AVMA 262(5): 698. doi.org/10.2460/javma.23.07.0377

ABSTRACT Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is an international and quintessential One Health problem. This paper synthesizes recent knowledge in One Health, binational RMSF concerns, and veterinary and human medical perspectives to this fatal, reemerging problem. RMSF, a life-threatening tick-borne disease caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii, emerged during the first decade of the 21st century in impoverished communities in the southwestern US and northern Mexico. Lack of an index of suspicion, delay in diagnosis, and delayed initiation of antibiotic treatment contribute to fatality. Campaigns targeting dog neutering, restraint to residents’ properties, and on-dog and on-premises treatment with acaricides temporarily reduce prevalence but are often untenable economically. Contemporary Mexican RMSF is hyperendemic in small communities and cities, whereas epidemics occur in the western US primarily in small tribal communities. In both locations, the epidemics are fueled by free-roaming dogs and massive brown dog tick populations. In the US, RMSF has a case fatality rate of 5% to 7%; among thousands of annual cases in Mexico, case fatality often exceeds 30%. Numerous case patients in US border states have recent travel histories to northern Mexico. Veterinarians and physicians should alert the public to RMSF risk, methods of prevention, and the importance of urgent treatment with doxycycline if symptomatic. One Health professionals contribute ideas to manage ticks and rickettsial disease and provide broad education for the public and medical professionals. Novel management approaches include vaccine development and deployment, acaricide resistance monitoring, and modeling to guide targeted dog population management and other interventions.

Submitted by the MVCAC VVBD Comittee

SJ Kancharlapalli et al. 2022. JAMCA 38(3): 175-187.

ABSTRACT. Controlling container inhabiting mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus is often difficult because of the requirement to treat small and inaccessible cryptic sources of water where larvae are located. Autodissemination approaches based on the dissemination of insect growth regulators (IGRs) have been demonstrated as an effective means to treat these cryptic larval habitats and provide population control. Autodissemination approaches are attractive because they are based on the mosquitoes disseminating small amounts of IGRs compared to more traditional insecticide applications. While dissemination of small amounts of IGRs seems like an advantage, these approaches could lead to unintended transfer and effects on nontarget insect pollinators by delivering highly potent IGRs to nectar sources. Here, we looked for the indirect and direct transfer of pyriproxyfen (PPF) to natural and artificial nectar sources and painted lady butterflies, Vanessa cardui, in semifield cages using the release of treated Ae. albopictus males or an autodissemination station. We also performed persistence tests of PPF in oviposition containers and natural and artificial nectar sources when exposed to laboratory and natural conditions. The data suggest that there is direct and indirect transfer to nectar sources and V. cardui associated with the use of autodissemination approaches. We discuss the results in the context of using autodissemination approaches for mosquito control and the potential risks these approaches may pose to nontarget insect populations.