From Action News Now
August 9, 2018

OROVILLE, Calif. – The Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control District (BCMVCD) said various groups of mosquitoes, and some chickens have been infected with West Nile Virus in the county.

At least 17 mosquito pools and 11 sentinel chickens tested positive for the virus, according to District Manager Matthew Ball from BCMVCD.

The mosquitos were found in south, central and northern areas of Butte County making it a total of 35 mosquito pools with one wild dead bird, officials said.

Butte County officials are urging residents to drain any and all un-needed standing water and to report any suspected mosquito-breeding sites to the district.

The Thursday announcement comes a week after the Butte County Public Health Department announced its first human case of WNV for 2018.

Officials said WNV is continuing to increase in California and that Butte County is following that trend.

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From WBRZ
August 8, 2018

The number of days each year that are suitable for disease transmission by mosquitoes is rising in much of the U.S., as temperatures climb with climate change. This can increase the risk of mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika and West Nile. Following research from Stanford University, Climate Central analyzed the number of days in the spring, summer, and fall each year with an average temperatures between 61°F and 93°F, which is the range for transmission of diseases spread by Aedes or Culex type mosquitoes. Of the 244 cities analyzed, 94% are seeing an increase in the number of these “disease danger days.”

Reno leads the list of cities with additional disease danger days, averaging an additional 52 days per year in that temperature range compared to a half-century ago. The top 10 cities can be found in the report and cover a variety of climates across the U.S. For example, San Francisco, Tucson, and Erie all have more than four additional weeks each year when transmission is possible. Baton Rouge’s “disease danger days” has increased by 9 days over the last 47 years.

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From WOSU
August 8, 2018

Ohio state researchers may have come up with an effective Zika vaccine. Symptoms from the primarily mosquito-borne disease are often mild, but the virus can lead to birth defects when it’s contracted by pregnant mothers.

According to the World Health Organization, the threat of Zika has calmed since a 2015 epidemic in the Western Hemisphere. But without an effective vaccine the disease remains a risk.

Shan-Lu Liu, who’s part of a team from Ohio State, says their focus was on a protein created within a virus-infected cell, rather than just a weakened version of the virus like many other vaccines.

“For Zika virus, it’s a little different because people have found Zika virus’ antibodies, against Zika virus, can even make the disease more severe,” Liu says.

And because Zika is similar to other diseases like Dengue fever, the team – headed up by Jianrong Li – were concerned a vaccine could make those other infections worse, too.

Liu explains they’ve avoided that reaction by adding the protein, known as NS-1, which the virus normally produces inside a host cell to replicate itself. To get the proteins into the body, the research team is using a weakened version of a virus that affects cattle but has no effect on people.

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From the CDC
August 7, 2018

About 1 in 7 babies now 1 year or older who were born to women with Zika virus infection during pregnancy had one or more health problems possibly caused by exposure to the virus before birth, according to the latest Vital Signs report. Some of these problems were not apparent at birth.

About 4,800 pregnancies from areas with Zika (Puerto Rico, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Marshall Islands) in the U.S. Zika Pregnancy and Infant Registry (USZPIR) had a laboratory result showing possible or confirmed Zika virus infection between 2016 and 2018. From these pregnancies, 1,450 babies were at least 1 year old by February 1, 2018, and had any follow-up care reported to the USZPIR. Many of these babies did not receive all the recommended screenings for health problems potentially related to Zika virus. Careful monitoring and evaluation of these children is essential to ensure early detection of possible disabilities and referral to early intervention services.

“We know that Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause serious health problems in babies, such as birth defects and vision problems, including conditions not always evident at birth,” said CDC Director Robert Redfield, M.D. “We are still learning about the full range of long-term health problems these babies could face. We thank clinicians for their continued commitment to conduct all necessary tests and evaluations to ensure appropriate care.”

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They also pose a threat to people, according to a new paper in the journal Conservation Biology. The study is based on field research in the Santa Monica Mountains and lab experiments at UCLA La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science.

Mosquitos are notorious vectors that spread diseases such as malaria, Zika and West Nile virus. In the mountains, mosquito populations are kept in check by dragonfly nymphs, which voraciously consume their aquatic larvae. But invasive crayfish disrupt that predator-prey relationship, killing and driving dragonfly nymphs from waterways. And while crayfish also consume mosquito larvae, they’re simply not as good at it, the researchers found.

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From East County Today
August 4, 2018

CONCORD, CALIFORNIA – The Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District is reporting a dead bird from Brentwood and mosquitoes from Discovery Bay have tested positive for West Nile virus. This is the second group of mosquitoes from Discovery Bay and the first dead bird of the year from Contra Costa County to test positive for the virus.

This virus activity serves as an important reminder that residents should wear repellent to reduce the risk of mosquito bites, especially as summer heat continues, prompting residents to delay outdoor activities until temperatures cool in the evening. The mosquitoes that can transmit West Nile virus are active at dawn and dusk.

According to the District’s Scientific Programs Manager Steve Schutz, Ph.D., “Although this is the second group of mosquitoes from Discovery Bay to test positive for West Nile virus, virus transmission can occur anywhere in the county so it’s very important to wear repellent if you’re going to be outdoors in the evening.”

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From the Palm Desert Patch
August 3, 2018

COACHELLA VALLEY, CA – “Persistent virus activity” in Mecca stemming from disease-carrying mosquitoes has led local vector control officials to call for increased efforts to control the Eastern Coachella Valley mosquito population and reduce transmission of West Nile and St. Louis Encephalitis in the region, beginning with a round of helicopter and truck-mounted spraying in the city that started Thursday.

Mosquitoes from Mecca have tested positive for St. Louis Encephalitis, while West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes found in Thermal, according to the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District.

The detections prompted the district to call for a round of truck- mounted spraying during the early mornings and helicopter aerial applications in the evenings through Saturday.

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From Action News Now
August 2, 2018

The first confirmed human case of West Nile Virus in Butte County has been announced Thursday morning by the Butte County Public Health Department.

According to Lisa Almaguer from public health, there have been 10 human infections of the virus as of July 10.

The virus is typically active from July through October with August being the peak month.

West Nile Virus is spread to humans by animals by the bite of an infected mosquito, once they feed on infected birds, according to public officials.

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From Science Daily
August 2, 2018

The textbook approach to managing disease outbreaks focuses on three factors — pathogen, host, and environment — but it leaves out one critical component in the case of afflictions such as Zika, malaria, and Lyme: the insect or arthropod responsible for transmission to humans. A new report proposes a new version of the classic ‘epidemiologic triad’ that better reflects the complexities of managing vector-borne diseases.

The emergence of the mosquito-borne Zika virus captured the world’s attention in 2016, and likewise the continued rise of tick-borne Lyme disease in the United States has highlighted the need for robust response capabilities to vector-borne disease. The classic “epidemiologic triad,” however, is due for a revision in the case of infections spread primarily by insects and related arthropods, and a new report in the Annals of the Entomological Society of America proposes a new version that better reflects the complexities of managing vector-borne diseases.

“Rather than focusing on managing diseases at the host or pathogen level, we suggest the focus should be at the environmental and vector levels, an approach known as integrated vector management, or IVM,” says Natalia Cernicchiaro, DVM, MS, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology at Kansas State University and senior author on the report. “Management strategies applied at these levels tend to be more sustainable and effective.”

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From Gazette Day
August 2, 2018

To curb the ballooning threat of West Nile Virus, an aerial insecticide spraying has to be conducted. The officials reported that the spray would take place in Elk Grove, the neighborhood’s south of Fruitridge, and the pocket. The spraying will begin on Monday and continue till Tuesday. The Sacramento Vector Control District reported that the spraying would kill the insects that transmit the virus. The announcement came after reports that the Sacramento city unintentionally elevated the risk of its residents contracting the virus courtesy of the developing bodies of stagnant waters that are ideal for mosquito breeding. The Sacramento Vector Control said that the sprayings were scheduled to take place from 8 PM to 12 AM on Monday and Tuesday. A news release said that the spraying is meant to cover about 41,000 acres in area.

The district’s website is reported to contain a mosquito treatment notification service including a communicating map so that the residents can freely figure out whether they are in the spraying zone. Gary Goodman, the district manager, said that it was paramount that they act fast to decrease the risk of the residents contracting West Nile virus and also protect the public. This is especially during the hot summer when the mosquito population is immensely high. When the numbers of these insects are high, the more the residents are at risk of contracting the virus.

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From The Union Democrat
July 31, 2018

A person in Tuolumne County tested positive for West Nile virus last week, the first time the sometimes deadly mosquito-borne illness has been detected in a human locally since 2005.

Dr. Bob Bernstein, county health officer, said that staff from the county’s Public Health and Environmental Health departments are investigating how the person may have been exposed to a mosquito infected with the virus.

“This is a rare event in our county,” he said.

Bernstein noted that more people in the county could have come down with West Nile since the last reported case in 2005 and simply not have known it.

Symptoms of the disease are typically not worse than those of a common flu, if even that.

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From the Benicia Herald
August 1, 2018

The Solano County Mosquito Abatement District (Solmad) will be working to thin the mosquito population near Benicia State Recreation Area on Monday, the city announced.

Between 6 and 7:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 6, Solmad officials will be doing an area application of larvicide by helicopter on the south side of Interstate 780 running into Southampton Bay near the State Recreation Area. The park will be closed during this time, and advance notice will be given starting Friday. The goal is to diminish the number of mosquitoes who may be carrying diseases.

 In addition to causing severe annoyance and allergic reaction, mosquitoes found in California are capable of spreading many diseases to humans and animals including Chikungunya, Dengue, Filariasis (canine and feline heartworm), Malaria, Saint Louis encephalitis (SLE), West Nile virus (WNV), Western Equine encephalitis (WEE), Yellow fever and Zika,” the Mosquito Vector and Control Association of California (MVCAC) wrote in a statement. 

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From the Miami New Times
July 30, 2018

It’s been two years since Miami’s Summer of Zika, when everyone was freaked out about mosquitoes and your friends all canceled their trips to Florida. But although the public frenzy about the virus has since died down, dozens of Floridians are still being diagnosed with Zika. According to the Department of Health, at least 59 travel-related cases have been reported across the state so far this year.

Unfortunately, testing for Zika remains a somewhat lengthy process. Although very reliable, the commonly used urine test can detect the virus only two weeks after the onset of symptoms, and getting the results can take up to three weeks.

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From Lake County News
July 28, 2018

LAKEPORT, Calif. – One mosquito sample collected in Lake County has tested positive for West Nile virus this week, health officials reported Friday.

The mosquitoes, Culex tarsalis, or Western encephalitis mosquito, were collected in Lower Lake on July 26, according to the Lake County Vector Control District.

The district reported that this is the first detection of WNV in Lake County in 2018.

The Lake County Vector Control District traps and tests mosquitoes throughout the county to identify the areas that have the highest risk, and targets those areas for source reduction and treatment using an integrated vector management program. 

“The hot weather we’ve had this summer is perfect for both West Nile virus and mosquitoes to multiply quickly,” said Jamesina Scott, Ph.D., district manager and research director of the Lake County Vector Control District. “This is the first West Nile virus we’ve found in Lake County this year, and in most years, we continue to find West Nile virus into September.”

No other West Nile virus activity has been detected in Lake County yet this year. Statewide, 24 California counties have detected WNV this year, mainly in mosquitoes. Twelve human cases of West Nile virus illness have been reported in California residents this year. 

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From NBC Los Angeles
June 28, 2018

Summer is in full swing in Southern California, and after a brief early lull, so is the West Nile virus.

Mosquito samples collected in Sherman Oaks and Porter Ranch tested positive for the virus in the past week, the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District announced Saturday.

With only three positive samples this year – including one a week ago – the inevitable annual West Nile virus infestation is off to a slower start in 2018, the district said.

“Last year [at this time] we already had 43 positive samples reported,” district Director of Scientific Technical Services Susanne Kluh said in a statement.

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Press Release From Contra Costa MVCD
July 26, 2018

West Nile Virus Activity Increases with Prolonged Heat

From the Orlando Sentinel
July 26, 2018

Dr. Kenneth Alexander was driving home one day last year when he thought of the idea: what if the Zika virus could be used to kill a childhood cancer called neuroblastoma?

The Zika outbreak was in its third year and scientists had learned that the virus damages the nervous systems of unborn babies by destroying the developing nerve cells.

Those developing nerve cells also make up neuroblastomas.

So, Alexander, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Nemours Children’s Hospital, started brainstorming with a surgeon colleague and brought on board Dr. Griffith Parks, a University of Central Florida scientist who has been studying Zika.

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From Healio
July 25, 2018

The period during which Zika virus can be sexually transmitted is shorter than was estimated in the earliest studies published after the epidemic, according to results of a living systematic review published in PLOS Medicine.

“Zika virus (ZIKV) can be transmitted between humans through sexual contact, although it is most commonly transmitted by infected Aedes spp. mosquitoes,” researchers in Switzerland and the United States wrote. “Sexual transmission of ZIKV has important implications for public health, for people living in endemic regions, and sexual partners of travelers returning to nonendemic regions from endemic regions because ZIKV infection during pregnancy can cause congenital infection of the fetus and because ZIKV infection can trigger the immune-mediated neurological condition Guillain-Barré syndrome.”

A CDC spokeswoman told Infectious Disease News in April that the agency would re-evaluate its guidance for the prevention of sexual transmission of Zika virus based on findings published in The New England Journal of Medicine that showed that men can sexually transmit the virus for only a short period of time — perhaps just a few weeks after they become ill. Asked for an update, the spokeswoman said she was not aware of any changes to the guidance.

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From The Mercury News
July 25, 2018

Parts of Sunnyvale and Santa Clara will be sprayed late Thursday night as part of a mosquito eradication effort to protect against the spread of West Nile virus.

The Santa Clara County Vector Control District scheduled the 11 p.m. truck-mounted mosquito control treatment after determining that a sampling of adult mosquitoes near Sunnyvale and Santa Clara had tested positive for the virus.

West Nile virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes and can cause mild to severe flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache and body ache. In severe cases, the virus can cause significant neurological damage and even death, according to the district.

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The incidence of tickborne infections in the United States has risen significantly within the past decade. It is imperative, therefore, that public health officials and scientists build a robust understanding of pathogenesis, design improved diagnostics, and develop preventive vaccines, according to a new commentary in the New England Journal of Medicine from leading scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health.

Bacteria cause most tickborne diseases in the United States, with Lyme disease representing the majority (82 percent) of reported cases. The spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi is the primary cause of Lyme disease in North America; it is carried by hard-bodied ticks that then feed on smaller mammals, such as white-footed mice, and larger animals, such as white-tailed deer. Although there are likely many factors contributing to increased Lyme disease incidence in the U.S., greater tick densities and their expanding geographical range have played a key role, the authors write. For example, the Ixodes scapularis tick, which is the primary source of Lyme disease in the northeastern U.S., had been detected in nearly 50 percent more counties by 2015 than was previously reported in 1996. Although most cases of Lyme disease are successfully treated with antibiotics, 10 to 20 percent of patients report lingering symptoms after effective antimicrobial therapy. Scientists need to better understand this lingering morbidity, note the authors.

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Press Release From Coachella Valley MVCD
July 25, 2018

Mosquito-borne virus activity intensifies in the East Valley, truck-mounted control planned in Mecca.

INDIO, CA, JULY 25, 2018: The Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District detected West Nile virus (WNV) activity for the first time in Thermal in 2018 and continued activity of St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) in Mecca. Mosquitoes trapped in downtown Mecca tested positive for SLEV, the first mosquito-borne virus activity detected in an East Valley residential community this year.

In Mecca, mosquitoes collected from a trap near Lincoln Street and 65th Avenue and from a trap near Colfax Street and 72nd Avenue tested positive for SLEV. The mosquitoes that tested positive for WNV came from a trap in Thermal near Pierce Street and Avenue 70.

This brings the number of WNV-positive mosquito samples to 11 and the number of SLEVpositive mosquito samples to 11 for 2018. Last year at this time the District had detected 69 WNV-positive mosquito samples and no SLEV-positive mosquito samples. All mosquitoes were tested at the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District laboratory.

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From The Sacramento Bee
July 23, 2018

In an effort to target and kill mosquito populations, aerial spraying will take place Monday and Tuesday nights in areas with intense West Nile Virus activity within the Sacramento region.

The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District has planned for spraying to begin at 8 p.m. both nights.

Luz Robles, a spokesperson for the district, answered questions from The Bee about the spraying.

Here’s what you need to know.

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From the Tracy Press
July 23, 2018

A jump in the number of mosquitoes found with West Nile virus in San Joaquin County has brought new warnings from the San Joaquin County Mosquito & Vector Control District as the San Joaquin Valley heats up.

Aaron Devencenzi, a public information officer for the vector control district, said the number of mosquito samples testing positive for West Nile virus had increased by more than 10 times within three weeks.

From The Sacramento Bee
July 20, 2018

As concerns grow over reports of intense West Nile virus activity in the Sacramento region, the city of Sacramento Department of Utilities may have unintentionally accelerated a localized increase of West Nile activity in the Pocket area.

The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District confirmed that a disruption in water flow from the Pocket Canal to the Sacramento River caused mosquitoes to proliferate in the area. Efforts by the city to apply an algaecide treatment to the Pocket Canal caused the water disruption.

As a result, water backed up into drain inlets in residential areas of the Pocket. The stagnant water within the basins acted as an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes during West Nile virus season.

With high activity in the area, aerial sprays for West Nile virus could occur next week, the vector control district announced Wednesday. The district is expected to decide Friday whether to spray over Pocket/Greenhaven, south Sacramento and Elk Grove.

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From KGET.com
July 20, 2018

BUENA VISTA LAKE, Calif. – A dangerous mosquito-borne virus has been detected at Buena Vista Lake, marking its first appearance in Kern County this season, according to the West Side Mosquito & Vector Control District. 

St. Louis Encephalitis Virus was detected in mosquito samples taken from a source near the lake, the district said. 

SLEV can cause “fever, headache, dizziness, nausea, and malaise,” as well as coma in extreme cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

The overall fatality rate of SLEV is between five and 15 percent. 

Other symptoms include “stiff neck, confusion, disorientation” and “tremors and unsteadiness,” the CDC says. 

Technicians are “actively treating and monitoring the area” of Buena Vista Lake, the district said.  

The district is urging the public to take precautions against mosquitos while engaging in outdoor activities, and says peak mosquito activity occurs during dawn and dusk. 

People should use insect repellant containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3435, the district said. 

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From KRCRTV
July 19, 2018

REDDING, Calif. — 

The first two positive results for West Nile virus have been found in mosquito samples gathered in the northern Anderson and central Redding areas according to the Shasta Mosquito and Vector Control District. 

The district is asking people to drain standing water in an effort to limit mosquito breeding areas. 

“Despite knowing that West Nile virus will be in Shasta County at some level for the foreseeable future, it is important that residents take these indicators seriously and do what they can to prevent mosquito bites,” Peter Bonkrude, District Manager of the Shasta Mosquito and Vector Control District said in a statement.

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From Lodi News
July 18, 2018

San Joaquin County has seen its first human case of West Nile virus for 2018, according to Public Health Services.

A 51-year-old man living in Stockton was the first to be diagnosed this year and reportedly developed a mild form of the infection, and recovered fully without medical intervention.

From the Sun-Gazette
July 18, 2018

VISALIA – Residents of Visalia beware of the dangers lurking around standing water and other mosquito breeding grounds. The Tulare County Health & Human Services and the Delta Vector Control District are asking people to be vigilant against mosquito bites. According to the Delta Vector Control District, sampling from local mosquitoes has detected the St. Louis Encephalitis Virus (SLEV) and West Nile Virus (WNV). And while it has yet to be detected in Tulare County, mosquitoes also carry the Zika Virus.

Any container with as little as a few inches of water standing for more than three days is a potential mosquito breeding source. General areas affected by the virus are viewable on the Delta Vector Control District home page, www.deltavcd.com/ by clicking on the tab “Current Mosquito Collections.”

Of particular concern are these three illnesses that can occur after being bitten by a mosquito:

• West Nile Virus (WNV) – Although most individuals will experience no effects from WNV, symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, skin rash, and swollen lymph nodes, while more severe symptoms include disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, and paralysis.
• St. Louis Encephalitis Virus (SLEV) – SLEV is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, and most people have no symptoms or only mild, flu-like illness. However, especially in the elderly, SLEV can cause serious illness that affects the central nervous system.
• Zika Virus – Zika is a public health concern to individuals, especially pregnant women, traveling to areas where the virus is prevalent. It is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito or through unprotected sex with an infected partner. The mosquitoes that carry the Zika virus have been detected in an increasing number throughout California. The most concerning issue with the virus is that it can have detrimental effects on a pregnant woman’s developing baby.

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From the Santee Patch
July 18, 2018

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA – West Nile virus made its first appearance of the summer in San Diego County this week when a batch of mosquitoes in Santee tested positive for the viral infection, county officials announced Wednesday.

West Nile virus mainly affects birds, but it can be transmitted to humans by mosquitoes that feed off an infected animal and then bite people.

Officials said West Nile virus has been present in San Diego County since 2003. However, no people or birds — the main carriers of West Nile virus — have tested positive for the virus in the county this year.

Only about 20 percent of people who get infected with West Nile virus suffer any symptoms, though it can be deadly in rare cases. Symptoms are typically mild, including headache, fever, nausea, fatigue, skin rash or swollen glands.

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From MyNewsLA.com
July 18, 2018

More mosquitoes testing positive for St. Louis encephalitis have been located in the Eastern Coachella Valley, local vector control officials reported Wednesday.

Mosquitoes testing positive for the virus have been found in Mecca and North Shore, according to the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District.

Officials say that the positive samples were found in traps earlier this month near Grant Street and Avenue 71, as well as Johnson Street, near Avenue 70 in Mecca. In North Shore, officials collected positive samples from a trap near Cleveland Street and Avenue 72.

By this date last year, no positive St. Louis encephalitis samples had been found. This year, eight infected mosquitoes have been located in the Coachella Valley, all in Mecca and North Shore, according to the CVMVCD.

Helicopter spraying will be conducted in the evening hours, weather permitting from Monday to Wednesday in Mecca and North Shore.

The discovery also follows recent detections of West Nile virus in nine mosquitoes found in Palm Desert and Indian Wells, which led to increased mosquito spraying and trapping there.

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From The Orange County Register
July 18, 2018

Though the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District expects 2018 to be a “mild” year for West Nile virus, officials from the public health agency are nonetheless advising residents to do what they can to avoid getting bitten.

Orange County residents are encouraged to use mosquito spray; close windows and doors unless screened; and wear light-colored long shirts and pants as darker colors attract mosquitoes.

West Nile virus is transmitted to humans and animals by infected mosquitoes that feed on dead birds carrying the virus. According to the World Health Organization, about 80 percent of infected people will be asymptomatic, but some who contract the viral infection may experience flu-like symptoms such as headaches, fever, or joint and muscle aches.

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From La Mesa Patch
July 18, 2018

EAST COUNTY, CA – West Nile virus made its first appearance of the summer in San Diego County this week when a batch of mosquitoes in Santee tested positive for the viral infection, county officials announced Wednesday.

West Nile virus mainly affects birds, but it can be transmitted to humans by mosquitoes that feed off an infected animal and then bite people.

Officials said West Nile virus has been present in San Diego County since 2003. However, no people or birds — the main carriers of West Nile virus — have tested positive for the virus in the county this year.

Only about 20 percent of people who get infected with West Nile virus suffer any symptoms, though it can be deadly in rare cases. Symptoms are typically mild, including headache, fever, nausea, fatigue, skin rash or swollen glands.

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From the Daily Democrat
July 17, 2018

Elk Grove >> The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District continues to closely monitor areas throughout Sacramento County where West Nile virus activity has intensified over the last few weeks.

District officials reported that in Sacramento County, 95 mosquito samples and 49 dead birds have tested positive for West Nile virus to date and that Yolo County had four mosquito samples and four dead birds reported.

As a result, spraying for mosquitoes has been increased slightly. Areas of concern include Elk Grove as well as the Pocket and neighborhoods south of Fruitridge Road in Sacramento.

“We are seeing high levels of West Nile virus activity, we are very concerned and are evaluating aerial spraying,” said Gary Goodman district manager. Lab results received today showed an increase to the already widespread activity. In response to the ongoing West Nile virus activity, the District has intensified ground mosquito control treatments.

Field staff are working extended hours to inspect and treat many area parks, trails, creeks, drainage canals and other riparian corridors where mosquito populations are high.

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From The Guardian
July 17, 2018

The number of children dying in their first year of life has risen in Brazil for the first time since 1990.

It’s a worrying setback for a country once seen as a model of poverty reduction.

The infant mortality rate rose by nearly 5% between 2015 and 2016, an increase health officials and specialists have blamed on the outbreak of the Zika virus that year, as well as cuts to health services prompted by an economic crisis from which Brazil is struggling to recover.

Fatima Marinho, director of the non-communicable diseases department and information and analysis at the health ministry, said she expects the 2017 figures to exceed the 2015 levels.

“We are going backwards, not forwards,” Marinho said. “We cannot go on with the situation. Or we lose everything we have gained in 15 years.”

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From SCVNews.com
July 16, 2018

The Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District confirmed West Nile virus in a sample of mosquitoes collected from Panorama City (zip code 91402), the first confirmation of WNV activity in the district’s service area this year.

While this is only the first confirmation, it should serve as a strong reminder that mosquitoes throughout much of Los Angeles County are active, may be carrying West Nile virus, and can infect people if they bite.

Last year alone, the District collected 394 samples of mosquitoes confirmed positive for WNV.

“We find West Nile Virus widespread throughout the southland every year,” said Susanne Kluh, director of scientific technical services. “This is an annual risk and one residents must be aware of and take actions to prevent. We can’t do this alone.”

Many mosquito repellents are available to prevent bites, but they do not all work equally well. The Centers for Disease Control recommend products with the active ingredients DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus as being safe and effective against mosquitoes that can transmit disease when used according to the labels. Wearing loose-fitting long sleeves and pants can also help deter bites.

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From Phys.org
July 14, 2018

Entomologists at the University of California, Riverside have received a five-year grant of $2.44 million from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, or NIAID, to investigate the role hormones play in the female mosquito’s ability to use human blood for egg production. 

Vector mosquitoes need vertebrate blood to develop each batch of their eggs. As a result, reproduction in female mosquitoes is closely linked to blood feeding. The NIAID funding—a competitive National Institutes of Health grant renewal—will allow the entomologists to introduce novel research tools for genetic manipulation, such as CRISPR, in their exploration of the genetic basis for the hormonal control of mosquito reproduction. 

“A clear understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating egg development in mosquitoes can play a critical role in our coming up with innovative and novel vector control methods,” said Alexander Raikhel, a distinguished professor of entomology who will lead the project along with Sourav Roy, an assistant professional researcher who received his doctorate at UCR and joined the Raikhel lab in 2011. 

The research project, titled “Molecular Basis of Ecdysteroid Action in the Mosquito,” is expected to help Raikhel, Roy, and others in Raikhel’s lab identify targets that can block the reproduction of female mosquitoes, thereby resulting in significant declines in mosquito populations and the dangerous diseases they transmit. 

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From ABC10
July 13, 2018

As West Nile Virus activity surges in Sacramento County, it’s more important than ever to use mosquito repellent.

But which one should you use? It turns out, there’s a lot of myths around ways to repel the biting pests.

“A lot of people think that if you eat a lot of garlic, if you eat a lot of bananas, if you maybe put a bounce sheet in your pocket, that all of those things will keep mosquitoes away,” Luz Maria Robles with the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District explained.

So, do they work? Sorry, but according to Robles, no.

Another common remedy is citronella — an herbal oil found in lemongrass. Citronella candles are advertised as a natural alternative to repellents like DEET. But, although it’s natural, it doesn’t really work. A study in the Journal of Insect Science found it has no affect at all on banishing the bugs.

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From Action News Now
July 12, 2018

Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control announced Thursday that several mosquitos in Butte County are plagued with West Nile and the virus is now active in Butte County.

Groups of positive mosquitoes, known as a “mosquito pool,” collected in the areas of Honcut, Palermo, and Dayton have tested positive with the West Nile virus.

With increasing mosquito populations and the detection of West Nile virus within Butte County, the Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control District urges residents to take all precautions necessary to drain any and all unneeded standing water, report any suspected mosquito-breeding sites and protect themselves from the bites of mosquitoes.

This is the first positive indicator of West Nile Virus in the county for 2018. West Nile Virus is active throughout the State of California.

“It’s imperative that county residents be aware that West Nile Virus is active and to avoid mosquito bites by whatever means necessary,” said Matthew Ball, District Manager for the Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control District. “Residents are urged to do their part to prevent mosquitoes from breeding by inspecting and eliminating all standing water from their properties.”

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From the Visalia Times Delta
July 12, 2018

Delta Vector Control District officials recently found St. Louis Encephalitis and West Nile Virus in mosquitoes locally.

Tulare County Health and Human Services and Delta Vector staff are asking residents to avoid mosquito bites. 

“It is imperative that residents take the necessary precautions to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes and report any incidence of mosquito presence,” health officials stated.

Residents should be on the lookout for any “potential breeding grounds” around their home. Any container with as little as a few inches of water standing for more than three days makes for a good mosquito breeding source, health officials said.

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From KESQ
July 12, 2018

More mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus have been found in Indian Wells, the same city where local officials found 2018’s first positive detections of the virus among all Coachella Valley cities, the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District said today.   

The most recent detections were discovered in a trap near Fairway Drive and Cook Street, the same area where 2018’s first infected mosquitoes in the Coachella Valley were found last month.

Along with positive samples discovered in Palm Desert, eight positive samples total have been found in the Coachella Valley this year.   

Though vector control officials have increased trapping and surveillance in those cities, the desert was seeing a far higher rate of the virus last year, with 60 positive samples discovered by this time in 2017, 
according to CVMVCD.

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From the Sacramento Bee
July 12, 2018

West Nile virus activity is surging in Sacramento County, with the region now leading the state, officials say.

There is also greater and more localized activity this year compared to last year, said Luz Robles, public information officer for the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District.

“Residents need to be vigilant, especially as we enter the hottest of the hottest weeks of the year,” Robles said, explaining that heat advances the life cycles of mosquitoes.

West Nile virus activity is defined by the number of dead birds and mosquito samples testing positive for the virus, Robles said. Sentinel chickens and horses testing positive would also be taken into consideration, but there have not been cases of either in California so far this year.

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From Recordnet.com
July 11, 2018

STOCKTON — The San Joaquin County Mosquito & Vector Control District will conduct aerial spraying with Trumpet EC today between 8:20 p.m. and 11 p.m., depending on weather, in areas of the rural Delta near the Shima, Wright and Rindge tracts, as well as in portions of the Canal Ranch, Brack and Terminous tracts. For more information, or to view maps of the spray areas, go to sjmosquito.org.

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From The Epoch Times
July 10, 2018

A landmark experiment in north Queensland could hold the key to combating the spread of mosquito-borne diseases including dengue and Zika.

Australian scientists managed to wipe out more than 80 per cent of the Aedes aegypti (yellow fever mosquito) population near Innisfail, a sugar town in tropical far north Queensland, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) announced on July 10.

The Aedes aegypti mosquito is responsible for infecting millions of people worldwide with diseases such as dengue, Zika, yellow fever, and chikungunya.

Last summer, CSIRO researchers introduced three million sterile male Aedes aegypti in three small towns in the Innisfail region. The local female mosquitos they mated with laid sterile eggs, causing the population to plummet.

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From KTLA
June 9, 2018

The first mosquito sample testing positive for West Nile Virus this year was confirmed by the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District to be found in Garden Grove, the agency said in a news release Monday.

The sample was collected from mosquitoes found near Garden Grove Boulevard and Newhope Street on July 3, officials said. So far, however, no birds or humans in the county have been infected with the virus this year.

The virus is usually transmitted to humans and other animals through mosquitoes, who often contract the illness from birds that feed on them, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Since 2003, the virus has infected more than 6,500 people in California and killed 292, state health officials said.

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From Pasadena Now
July 9, 2018

Officials want to enlist Pasadena residents in their unending war on mosquitoes and the dangerous diseases they spread.

As the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District takes over responsibility for Pasadena this week, it’s reminding residents that the agency cannot defeat this determined enemy alone.

“While we’re out there, we’re doing our part, but we definitely want to stress that mosquito control is a shared responsibility and everyone should do their part,” said SGV Mosquito & Vector Control spokesman Levy Sun. “Once you do that, we can have a more bite-free Pasadena.

Vector control officials will be aggressively trapping and testing mosquitoes, inspecting and treating storm drains and otherwise taking the fight to the mosquitoes.

Sun says just a bottle cap full of water is enough for mosquitoes to breed in.

More than just pesky — especially to those with particularly delicious blood — mosquitoes carry diseases such as West Nile virus and Zika.

Pasadena has seen no reported cases of West Nile virus or Zika virus this season, according to Sun.

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