Things To Know: Mosquito Press Release

1351 Rollins Road

Burlingame, CA 94010

(650) 344 - 8592

2013.11.01

Contacts:

Menlo Park Fire Protection District

Manny Navarro    (719) 459-6920 English

San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District

Robert Gay           (650) 918-8640 English

Mosquito Inspection Demonstration

When:      November 2, 2013

Time:       8:00 AM

Where:    1120 Cloud Ave. Menlo Park CA 94025

CERT Call Out

When:      November 2, 2013

Time:       8:30 AM

Where:    Menlo Park Fire Protection District Fire Station 4 - 3322 Alamedas de las Pulgas, Menlo Park, CA 94025

Menlo Park Launches Neighborhood Response to Ensure Elimination of Aedes aegypti (The Yellow Fever Mosquito)

Community Door-to-Door Information Campaign Scheduled for

November 2, 2013

SAN MATEO, CA. - On November 2, 2013, at 8:00 AM, the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District (SMCMVCD) will be offering a press conference at 1120 Cloud Ave., Menlo Park, CA 94025.  District’s staff will demonstrate how they inspect a property and trap for Aedes aegypti. Examples of mosquito sources that residents should clean or remove will be provided.  

Simultaneously, the Menlo Park Fire Protection Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) will be conducting a community campaign to distribute information to Menlo Park residents about how they can help eradicate this mosquito population.  At 8:30 AM, CERTs volunteers will assemble at the Menlo Park Fire Protection District Fire Station 4, which is located at 3322 Alamedas de las Pulgas in Menlo Park.  Volunteers will then proceed to assigned neighborhood areas and distribute information regarding the abatement and eradication of this mosquito. The information materials focus on the importance of residents eliminating eggs in water-holding containers.  Teams will consist of one Mosquito Inspector, one HAM Radio Operator, and three CERTs members.  A live map of the distribution area can be viewed at http://goo.gl/maps/7z9CD.

The Aedes aegypti mosquito species is often referred to as the Yellow Fever Mosquito since it can transmit yellow fever as well as dengue, chikungunya, and several viruses that cause encephalitis. To date, no illnesses associated with this mosquito have been reported in California. However, since imported human cases of dengue fever were reported in our county, there is risk for local transmission if this vector gets established.

An Aedes aegypti mosquito adult was identified in San Mateo County on August 23, 2013 at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Menlo Park.  It was collected as an egg two weeks prior and reared to an adult in the SMCMVCD’s laboratory. The District responded with enhanced surveillance activities and public education in the city of Menlo Park, as well as in the unincorporated areas of West Menlo Park surrounding the Holy Cross Cemetery.

The District has since detected several egg, larvae, and adult forms of the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Menlo Park, suggesting that there is the risk that this  invasive mosquito may establish in the area. A map depicting the approximate extend of the invasion can be seen at http://goo.gl/maps/LwNBW.

“While this mosquito population is not native to California, we want to ensure the Aedes aegypti species does not become established in any of our communities,” said Robert Gay for San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District. “The local community can be of great assistance by helping to eliminate all breeding areas around their home and neighborhood.”

Since the area of invasion is close to the border with the Santa Clara County, the Santa Clara County Vector Control District, in a joint effort, has initiated a monitoring and education campaign aimed to detect any early invasion and facilitate its reporting.

Aedes aegypti mosquitos are capable of surviving as eggs in dry containers over the winter, and hatching in the spring when the weather is warmer. The goal is to eliminate eggs in containers that can hold water, such as saucers, buckets, jars, and pots. Therefore public awareness and community participation are necessary for the successful elimination of this mosquito population.

Residents can destroy the mosquito eggs with any of the following methods:

•         Scrubbing with bleach or household cleaner

•         Adding sand

•         Drilling holes in bottom of container to prevent further water accumulation

•         Calling the San Mateo Mosquito and Vector Control District (650) 344-8592 with questions about removing containers or to schedule an inspection

“While the current risk of disease transmission from this mosquito remains low, it’s important to make every effort to eradicate this population and prevent the possibility of any future disease transmission” said Dr. Scott Morrow, Health Officer for San Mateo County. “The public can help by surveying around their house and neighborhood and eliminate even the smallest amount of standing water, since these mosquitos lay eggs in water, just above the water line.”

In 2013 there have been five confirmed cases of dengue fever in San Mateo County.  All cases involved a history of travel to countries with high rates of dengue virus, and none are suspected to have acquired the disease locally.

Residents experiencing mosquito bites during the day should report them to the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District (650) 344-8592 or the Santa Clara Vector Control District (408) 918-4770.

Additional information can be found at:

•         San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District: www.smcmad.org,

(650) 344-8592

•        California Department of Public Health: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Documents/AedesaegyptiFactSheet.pdf

•         San Mateo County Health System: http://smchealth.org/4Ds

•         Santa Clara Vector Control District:sccVector.org (408) 918-4770)