From NYU Steinhardt
June 3, 2020

We sat down with Provost’s Fellow and Assistant Professor of Communicative Sciences and Disorders Keisha Lindsay to discuss her research on the 2016 Zika epidemic and the expertise speech-language pathologists (SLPs) can lend to global public health issues.

Although the Zika (ZIKV) epidemic affected 84 countries, research on the developmental trajectories of children with confirmed or suspected prenatal exposure to the virus is limited.

“As a researcher, I am deeply committed to creating knowledge about individuals, groups, and communities that we have not yet described in the scholarship of our field,” said Dr. Keisha Lindsay, who is currently researching the effects of ZIKV on child development in an investigation taking place on the Eastern Caribbean island of Saint Lucia.

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From the Desert Sun
June 1, 2020

Mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus were discovered in Palm Desert, officials announced today.

The infected mosquitoes were collected from two traps — one near the Shadow Mountain Golf Club on Portola Avenue, and the other near Highway 74 and Mesa View Drive, the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District reported.

“Just one bite from an infected mosquito can make a person sick,” said Tammy Gordon, a district spokeswoman. “We need everyone to cover up and use repellent at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are the most active.”

Vector control officials confirmed there are no reported human cases of West Nile virus in California at the moment.

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From The Mercury News
June 1, 2020

DEAR JOAN: Can you help us? We have been utterly inundated with beetles.

We’ve lived in this location for 10 years, and we’ve never experienced this before. The beetles are about half an inch long. They’re in the house. They’re in the flower pots. They’re in the barn. They’re all over the place.

They run but they don’t fly.

George Doddington, Walnut Creek

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From Huffpost
May 29, 2020

From the Desert Sun
May 29, 2020

The Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District today announced mosquitoes in La Quinta had tested positive for a viral disease that can be transmitted to humans and initially cause flu-like symptoms, and in rare cases, death.

There are no reported human cases of St. Louis Encephalitis in California, according to the district, but officials still warned people to guard themselves against mosquitoes, and announced targeted insecticide spraying operations were scheduled for next week in La Quinta.

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From Medical Xpress
May 26, 2020

Researchers from the Yerkes National Primate Research Center have shown Zika virus infection soon after birth leads to long-term brain and behavior problems, including persistent socioemotional, cognitive and motor deficits, as well as abnormalities in brain structure and function. This study is one of the first to shed light on potential long-term effects of Zika infection after birth.

“Researchers have shown the devastating damage Zika virus causes to a fetus, but we had questions about what happens to the developing brain of a young child who gets infected by Zika,” says lead researcher Ann Chahroudi, MD, Ph.D., an affiliate scientist in the Division of Microbiology and Immunology at Yerkes, director of the Center for Childhood Infections and Vaccines (CCIV), Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) and Emory University, and an associate professor of pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Emory University School of Medicine. “Our pilot study in nonhuman primates provides clues that Zika virus infection during the early postnatal period can have long-lasting impact on how the brain develops and works, and how this scenario has the potential to impact child behavior,” Chahroudi continues.

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From The Aggie
May 22, 2020

Despite sightings of giant hornet species, spread through North America highly unlikely, experts say 

Giant, tiger-striped insects have been making quite the buzz lately. Vespa mandarinia, or the Asian giant hornet, typically lives in eastern and southeastern Asia, but two individuals of the species were sighted in the U.S. for the first time.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) verified two reports of the Asian giant hornets near Blaine, Washington in December of 2019. One report was of a dead hornet, while the other was of one spotted flying back into the forest. Additionally, a giant hornet nest was found and destroyed in a park south of Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada.

In Washington, neither the second hornet nor its nest were found, but researchers are fairly confident their removal efforts were successful. In April, Blaine local authorities alerted residents to the possible threat and asked them to stay vigilant, according to the WSDA.

“They found a dead individual and were able to confirm that, yes, this is Vespa mandarinia,” said Eleanor Field, a doctoral candidate in entomology from Iowa State. “Then the same resident also said, ‘Hey, I saw another one and it went off into the woods.’ That means we have one confirmed dead individual and another presumed confirmed sighting.”

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From KFOX14
May 21, 2020

SANTA FE, NM — The New Mexico Department of Health is reporting the first human case of West Nile virus infection in New Mexico this year.

The patient is a San Juan County man in his 50s.

He was diagnosed with the neuroinvasive form of the disease, which has required hospitalization, and he is now recovering.

West Nile virus is a disease transmitted by mosquitoes that can sometimes be fatal.

New Mexico has had cases of West Nile virus infection every year since the virus was introduced to New Mexico in 2003.

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From the Chico Enterprise-Record
May 14, 2020

You’ve just returned home from a springtime walk through the woods with your furry pal, and you see something on her fur that looks like a piece of dirt. But then you see it’s moving. It’s not dirt, it’s a disgusting TICK!

I have no idea why we’re not equally repulsed by the blood-sucking mosquito … yet both of these pests can be equally dangerous to our canine companions.

Ticks

The tick that carries the greatest danger to people and pups alike is the western black-legged tick or deer tick, the only one of California’s 48 tick species that transmits Lyme disease. Today, this tick can be found in 56 of California’s 58 counties.

While Lyme is far less serious in dogs than in humans, dogs with the disease can have a number of health issues, including lameness, swollen joints, fever, loss of appetite, swollen lymph glands, and in rare cases, chronic kidney disease.

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From Action News Now
May 14, 2020

BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. – The Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control District and the Butte County Sheriff’s Department are teaming up to conduct aerial surveillance of areas to locate and treat possible mosquito breeding sources.

Starting the week of May 18, the Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control District will conduct aerial surveillance of un-maintained swimming pools and other “backyard breeders,” such as, boats holding water, ponds without circulation, unused tires, un-maintained hot tubs, and other man-made objects holding water.

“It is crucial for the District to locate and treat these suspected mosquito-breeding sources early in the mosquito season to prevent larger populations from hatching off in the summer, when virus is most active” said Matt Ball, District Manager of Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control District.

Public health officials said they expect the mosquito-transmitted West Nile virus to be a serious public health concern in California this year.

In 2019, the West Nile virus was extremely active in Butte County, as well as the rest of the state, according to health officials.

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From Science Magazine
May 12, 2020

n most of the world, the Aedes aegypti mosquito is notorious for biting humans and spreading dengue, Zika, and other viruses. But in Africa, where the mosquito is native, most Aedes prefer to suck blood from other animals, such as monkeys and rodents. A new study suggests, though, that their taste for humans may rapidly expand—and with it their ability to spread disease.

By surveying the range of Aedes biting preferences across Africa, the study shows that dryness and dense populations favor strains that target people. Those conditions are likely to intensify in Africa with climate change and increasing urbanization, though not everywhere.

“The work is significant because the better we can understand where and why mosquitoes like humans, the better equipped we will be to predict and mitigate disease spread,” says Mara Lawniczak, an evolutionary geneticist at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, who was not involved in the study.

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From Medicine Net
May 12, 2020

Huge, invasive “murder hornets” may be scary, but so are the typical native species of hornets, bees, mosquitoes, and ticks that cause disease and death in the US every year.

A warm, wet winter means all those pest populations are spiking early this spring and will likely thrive through the summer.

The National Pest Management Association publishes a “Bug Barometer” report every year in its Pestworld trade journal to give members an idea of what to expect in the coming season.

“(Winter weather) conditions allowed vector pests such as ticks, responsible for the spread of Lyme disease, and mosquitoes, common vectors of West Nile virus, Zika virus and Eastern equine encephalitis to get a jumpstart on activity,” said Jim Fredericks, Ph.D., chief entomologist for the NPMA, in a release. “With more warm and wet weather predicted for summer across most of the US, we’ll likely see these populations, and others, rapidly expand.”

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From U.S. News
May 11, 2020

From Cap Radio
May 11, 2020

It’s getting to be mosquito season in California, and public health officials say people need to be vigilant about avoiding bites.

Mosquitos don’t spread COVID-19, but they do carry West Nile Virus, which has sickened more than 6,000 Californians since 2003, according to state data. There’s no vaccine for it, and it can be fatal.

And this year some counties may not be taking their usual vector control measures. The National Association of County and City Health Officials says department budgets are strained due to coronavirus, and mosquito testing might go by the wayside.

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From The Science Times
May 9, 2020

A new study by the Imperial College London warns that mosquitos carrying diseases such as dengue, Zika, and yellow fever would likely colonize parts of southern Europe by 2030.

The changes in weather patterns and the rising temperatures will make many parts of the world viable homes for these insects. Scientifically known as Aedes aegypti, currently only thrives in the hottest regions of the world.

As global warming continues, the range of their habitat from Africa, the Amazon, and northern Australia could expand to other countries, including Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Turkey in the next ten years. More so, the invasion in China and southern continental America will also be accelerated by around four miles every year by 2050.

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From Quartz Africa
May 7, 2020

Scientists in Kenya have discovered a novel method with significant potential to completely stop mosquitos from transmitting the parasites which cause malaria in humans.

The team of scientists, mostly from Kenya and the UK, plus one from South Africa, have been studying mosquitoes on the shores of Lake Victoria in Kenya. They discovered that Microsporidia MB, a microorganism that lives in a mosquito’s gut and reproductive tract, completely protects the mosquito from being infected with plasmodium, the parasite that causes malaria.

Microsporidia are fungi, or at least closely related to them. Like plasmodium, which are protozoans, they are also known to live inside mosquitoes as parasites. Mosquitoes inject their saliva into the skin to facilitate blood-feeding. Their saliva sometimes contains plasmodium, which is usually injected together with their saliva resulting in malaria transmission. According to the study, the Microsporidia MB reduces the establishment of the Plasmodium falciparum parasite in the guts of the mosquitoes, and impairs the colonization of the salivary glands by the parasite.

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From The Science Times
May 6, 2020

Mosquitos are best known as pests causing itch-inducing bites and spread harmful diseases such as dengue fever and Zika virus. But, they still are with purpose as many of them help pollinate plants and serve a vital role as a food source to fish, birds, and other animals in the food chain above them.

However, mosquitos, for the most part, are a huge problem for humans. So much that researches are conducted to ensure they can no longer harm any person. The Environmental Protection Agency has recently approved a new and controversial field test aimed at reducing their population.

The plan is to release genetically modified male mosquitos that over time will lead to lesser regular mosquitos in the population.

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From Contagion Live
May 5, 2020

As children born in 2015 and 2016 with congenital Zika syndrome age, investigators are gradually able to assess neurodevelopmental outcomes.

The team behind a recent study published in JAMA Network Open observed substantial developmental delays at ages 2-3 years across all areas evaluated. The investigators also found that severity of microcephaly at birth was significantly associated with the severity of these developmental delays.

The study was a case series of behavioral and medical needs of 121 young children with serologic confirmation of congenital Zika syndrome . Children were assessed at a rehabilitation center in the Brazilian city of Recife, starting in January of 2018 and intended to continue for a 5-year total longitudinal term.

The comprehensive assessment was based on the Brazilian edition of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, administered by trained specialists. Interviews with caregivers and reviews of medical records provided basic demographic information and comorbid medical conditions.

The median age of participants was 31.2 months. The gender distribution was 58 boys and 61 girls. Out of 121 children, 99 children had microcephaly at birth with 74 cases classified as severe. A majority of participants, between n106 to 118, scored at the floor of 1 or more scales. There was, however, variability on raw and age-equivalent scores. A standard score of 55 for the cognitive domain was assigned to children with raw scores between 1-42, for example.

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From NPR
May 4, 2020

NPR’s Ari Shapiro talks with beekeeper Ruthie Danielsen about the race to prevent the Asian giant hornets from getting a foothold in the U.S. and threatening the honeybee population.

Listen now

From the Daily Democrat
May 4, 2020

If it’s not one virus it’s another, the Sacramento Yolo-Mosquito & Vector Control District is warning area residents.

On Tuesday night, the Woodland City Council will receive a report from district staff about mosquito control measures to protect people from West Nile virus and other diseases.

In a typical year, the council would receive the report in person from District Manager Gary Goodman. However, this year Goodman presented his report in writing since council members will be holding their meeting via teleconference.

The council meeting starts at 6 p.m. Tuesday night and can be accessed by going to the city of Woodland’s website and following the prompts.

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From USA Today
May 4, 2020

An invasive hornet species that slaughters honeybees and can be deadly to humans is sparking concern in the United States.

A small number of “murder hornets,” an invasive species of Asian giant hornet, have been spotted in the Pacific Northwest. While experts have been tracking the invasive species in the U.S. for months, a New York Times feature published Saturday raised alarm and brought the fittingly upsetting nickname to national consciousness. 

There have been just two confirmed sightings of the dangerous insects, according to the Washington State Department of Agriculture. But America is already home to some deadly insects and arachnids that are more common. 

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From the Appeal Democrat
April 29, 2020

April ushers in spring gardens and warmer weather … and it also marks the time when West Nile virus begins appearing.

Managers at mosquito vector control districts are offering suggestions on how residents can keep an eye on their property and help protect themselves.

“With warmer temps forecast for this week and next, it’s a great time for residents to go through their yards looking for any kind of container that may be holding water,” said Stephen Abshier, manager of the Sutter-Yuba Mosquito and Vector Control District. “Even though we haven’t had significant rain in some time, people are turning on their sprinkler systems to water lawns and plants.”

He said irrigation water can fill up the smallest of containers, which provide a good breeding spot for mosquitoes.

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From NPR
April 28, 2020

NPR’s History Podcast Throughline looks at the outsized role of the mosquito on the outcome of the American Revolution.

Listen here.

From EurekAlert!
April 27, 2020

Bethesda, MD – Zika virus is capable of replicating and spreading infectious particles within the outermost cells lining the vaginal tract, according to new research. The findings provide the first molecular-level insights into how the virus can move from person to person through sexual contact.

While Zika is primarily spread by mosquitoes, researchers have been aware of its potential for sexual transmission based on cases in which people became infected after having sex with a partner who had visited a Zika-affected area. Previous studies have also found Zika particles present in semen and vaginal fluid from infected individuals.

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From the Sacramento News & Review
April 23, 2020

As the weather warms, it’s time to think again about conserving water and controlling pests

The weather is getting warmer and the days longer, luring us back outside (mask or no mask).

According to the National Weather Service, Sacramento will hit the 80s every day for at least the next week. That seasonal change in temperatures also means it’s time to talk about two subjects: Drought and mosquitoes.

With an eye on water use, here’s a timely offer: A great rebate on a “smart” sprinkler controller.

Local residents can now save $150 (or more) on a Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller, thanks to an instant rebate program offered by the Regional Water Authority and Sacramento area water providers.

Representing 21 local water providers serving about 2 million customers, the RWA always is looking for ways to help consumers reduce water consumption. A smart controller such as the Rachio 3 can save an estimated 13,500 gallons of water per year for a typical Sacramento household.

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From the Marin Independent Journal
April 22, 2020

Even as the coronavirus crisis continues to play out, health officials are urging Marin residents not to overlook another threat: mosquito-borne illnesses.

Mosquitoes are not known to transmit the coronavirus, but they are confirmed vectors of West Nile virus, Zika and other diseases, said Dr. Matt Willis, public health officer of Marin County.

“With all the attention to COVID-19, it’s easy to forget all the other things we have always worried about,” Willis said.

“We want to make sure that we are reducing the number of incidents of those things that we know how to prevent, especially if we are anticipating surges of COVID, so that we can continue to protect our resources,” he said. “And this is something that we can control.”

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From Hoosier Ag Today
April 22, 2020

There is currently no evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted by mosquitoes, a Purdue University professor says.

In the swells of information that have surrounded the COVID-19 pandemic, Catherine Hill,  a professor of entomology and vector biology, said one question that keeps popping up is whether animals, including mosquitoes, can infect humans with the virus. Scientists around the world are currently assessing if  mosquitoes pose a risk in terms of COVID-19 transmission but, so far, there is no evidence to support this idea and, for many reasons, it is extremely unlikely mosquitoes are able to transmit the virus.

“It is early days but we’re always looking at things from a risk management and assessment perspective and I think the risk is very low,” Hill added.

COVID-19 belongs to the coronavirus family and other viruses, including SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome), in this family are not transmitted through mosquitoes.

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From KRCR TV
April 22, 2020

SHASTA COUNTY, Calif. — If you have been outside and heard the buzz, you know warmer weather has brought along those lovely mosquitoes to the Northstate.

While for many of us that means a few itchy bug bites over the summer, experts have looked into if the coronavirus (COVID-19) can be transferred to humans.

It’s fair to say, there is a long list for why many of us tend to dislike mosquitos but experts say, spreading the respiratory illness is probably not one of them.

At this time the CDC says they have no data to suggest that the virus is spread by mosquitos or ticks.

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From OpenPR
April 21, 2020

San Gabriel Valley, Calif. (April 16, 2020) – The increased attention on COVID-19 is a reminder of the many ways people can protect themselves from other public health concerns, including viruses spread through mosquito bites.

The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District (SGVMVCD) joins mosquito control programs across the state to promote California Mosquito Awareness Week, April 19-25. This statewide campaign empowers residents to prevent mosquitoes year-round.

Mosquito control officials encourage residents under Safer-at-Home orders in Los Angeles County to take this opportunity to curb mosquito populations around the home.

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From the Record Searchlight
April 20, 2020

All over the North State people are staying home, practicing social distancing, using disinfectants and only going out wearing breathing masks.

But one Shasta County agency is reminding people that COVID-19 is not the only harmful virus out there and the public needs to take steps to avoid becoming infected.

Standing water in puddles, neglected buckets, flowerpots and other containers breeds mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus. There were 225 cases of West Nile virus in California last year, and six people in the state died from the disease, according to the Shasta Mosquito and Vector Control District.

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From SCVNews
April 20, 2020

To kick off California Mosquito Awareness Week and the mosquito season, the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District or GLACVCD has unveiled its new mascot, Rita the Mosquita.

The black and white striped Aedes mosquito made her debut on the district’s social media platforms on Monday, April 20, as GLACVCD joins other public health agencies statewide marking California Mosquito Awareness Week from April 19-25.

While COVID-19 is not transmitted by mosquitoes, the increased attention on public health is an excellent reminder that there are many ways for residents to protect themselves from other viruses transmitted by infected mosquitoes.

Visit the district’s social media pages daily on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram during California Mosquito Awareness Week to answer mosquito-related questions. One participant will be randomly selected each day for the distinguished Citizen Excellence Award.

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From SCTV
April 20, 2020

The Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District (GLACVCD) joins other public health agencies statewide for California Mosquito Awareness Week, from April 19th through the 25th. While COVID-19 is not transmitted by mosquitoes, the increased attention on public health is an excellent reminder that there are many ways for residents to protect themselves from other viruses transmitted by infected mosquitoes.

To kick off California Mosquito Awareness Week and the mosquito season, GLACVCD will unveil its new mascot, Rita the Mosquita. Rita, a black and white striped Aedes mosquito, will make her debut on the District’s social media platforms on Monday, April 20th.

Visit the District’s social media pages daily on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram during California Mosquito Awareness Week to answer mosquito-related questions. One participant will be randomly selected each day for the distinguished Citizen Excellence Award. To join in on the fun, participants must reside or work in the District’s service area and must follow or like the District’s social media pages.

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From Zika News
April 18, 2020

A new study highlights interactions between pregnant women and their healthcare providers were very positive.

This study was published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on April 16, 2020, and was conducted during the height of the 2016 Zika outbreak.

These researchers found there was a high awareness (91%) about the risk of Zika virus infection during pregnancy and about travel advisories to avoid visiting affected areas.

In the adjusted analysis, women younger than 24 years old were more likely not to have heard of Zika compared with women older than 35 years old.

And, Hispanic women were more likely to have heard of Zika. 

Women with a high school education or less, women whose deliveries were paid for by Medicaid, and those who were uninsured at delivery were less likely to have heard of Zika, compared with their counterparts with more than a high school education and private health insurance.

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From the Daily Democrat
April 18, 2020

Spring is in the air and so are mosquitoes. And with people socially distancing at their homes, they need to be careful if spending more time in the backyard.

The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District is now reporting that Mosquito and West Nile Virus Awareness Week, will be held starting today and continuing through next Saturday.

This week kicks off the District’s public information and education campaign to keep residents aware about the health risks associated with mosquitoes.

The current focus on the importance of public health with the COVID-19 pandemic also provides a great reminder that residents need to take all precautionary measures to protect themselves from mosquito-transmitted diseases.

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From the Valley Voice
April 16, 2020

Mosquito experts throughout the state say the increased attention on public health is an excellent reminder that there are many ways for residents to protect themselves from other viruses transmitted by infected mosquitoes.

While COVID-19 is not transmitted by mosquitoes, they can transmit several other diseases. West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne disease that has impacted the lives of California residents since 2003. There is no human vaccine for West Nile virus which can cause debilitating cases of meningitis, encephalitis, and even death.

“As we enter mosquito season, I urge all residents to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito-transmitted diseases,” said Senator Henry Stern. “Having lost a dear friend to West Nile virus, I can tell you how real and devastating the risks are. By raising awareness and encouraging individual action, we can protect health and save lives.”

To raise awareness and educate Californians about the public health threat mosquitoes pose to our communities Mosquito and Vector Control Awareness Week is observed April 19-25, 2020.

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From Seeking Alpha
April 14, 2020

Ahead of its Vaccines Day event today, Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) reports positive results from a Phase 1 study of its Zika vaccine candidate mRNA-1893.

Preliminary results for the 10 µg and 30 µg dose levels showed seroconversion (antibodies develop and are detectable) rates of 94% and 100%, respectively, while being well-tolerated.

The NIH-led Phase 1 study of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate, mRNA-1273, remains on track with enrollment at the highest dose.

The company says its prophylactic vaccines have demonstrated immunogenicity against all eight viruses targeted thus far.

It has nine candidates in development for RSV (older adults and young children), human metapneumovirus and parainfluenza virus type 3, coronavirus, influenza H7N9, CMV, Zika and Epstein-Barr.

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From UC Davis
April 8, 2020

Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have developed a new web application that allows users to track COVID-19 cases and testing across the globe. The app offers a simple, intuitive way for users to track COVID-19 data at the country, state and county level.

“I found many of the best real-time visualizations of the COVID-19 data to be either complex dashboards or snapshots associated with media stories that made it difficult to get a simple, quick comparison of the latest COVID-19 trends,” said Christopher Barker, an associate professor of epidemiology with the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine who led the project.

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From Zika News
April 7, 2020

An experimental program to almost eliminate disease-causing mosquitoes succeeded in nearly eliminating them from test sites in California’s Central Valley.

The effort appears to be paying off, according to a paper published in the journal Nature Biotechnology.

According to news reports on April 6, 2020, stamping out illness caused by mosquitoes is one of Google/Alphabet unit Verily’s most ambitious public-health projects, the Debug Project.

The insects are bred in Verily labs to be infected with a common bacterium called Wolbachia. 

When these male mosquitoes mate with females in the wild, the offspring never hatch.

Verily’s study revealed that throughout the peak of the 2018 mosquito season, from July to October, Wolbachia-infected males successfully suppressed more than 93 percent of the female mosquito population at field test sites. 

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From KQED
April 7, 2020

Here’s something easy you can do to fight disease this spring. While the efforts to end COVID-19 have upended daily life, it may only take a few simple steps to stop the carriers of other dangerous diseases — mosquitoes.

As the weather starts to warm up in April and May, mosquito control districts across California are urging people to go through their yards and eliminate breeding places for mosquitoes that can transmit dengue fever, a painful and sometimes deadly disease that has exploded worldwide.

“Make sure you don’t have things that can hold water,” said Gary Goodman, manager of the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District. “Small children’s toys, small buckets.”

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