West Nile virus spray restraint, and a new container mosquito arrives

January, 2012, new regulations that require extra permitting to spray water supplies has "unintended consequences."  Good news so far,  no known cases in San Mateo County.

Look out below Sharp Park

 "Public health experts are bracing for an especially active West Nile virus season resulting from an unusually warm winter combined with a new federal regulation that is hampering efforts to control virus-spreading mosquito populations.

State vector control agencies have identified eight times as many cases of West Nile virus in dead birds and almost 20 times as many cases of the virus in mosquitoes this year compared with last. West Nile has been detected in 15 California counties, including Contra Costa, Solano and Santa Clara in the Bay Area.

.... A bill that would repeal the new regulations is before the U.S. Senate. Environmental groups oppose the bill because they say it would weaken the federal Clean Water Act. But the new regulations may actually lead to more 

pesticide use, said officials with the vector control association."  San Francisco Chronicle/Erin Allday, 6/16/12.  "West Nile virus:  State set for spike in cases."  Read Article.

Asian Tiger mosquito

 "Vector control officials here in the Bay Area are taking steps to halt any northern migration of a pest that has begun showing up in Southern California.  “The Asian Tiger Mosquito is a real game changer,” said Russ Parman, acting director of the Santa Clara County Vector Control District. “That’s because it’s a container breeder – which means it will breed in any container – from a saucer with a quarter inch of water, to potted plants, anything that holds water.” CBS San Francisco, 5 Connect, KCBS News.  "Dangereous Asian mosquito nears the Bay area."  Read Article.  

Related -  San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District.  "In San Mateo County, we pride ourselves on using an integrated mosquito and vector management system. The theory behind an integrated approach is to utilize multiple surveillance tools, take a preventative approach, and use targeted control measures to control mosquitoes in their larval stages."

Posted by Kathy Meeh