Feature Buzz Killers Unite! How Mosquito Abatement Districts are Waging War Against the World's Deadliest Animal By Kristin Withrow, CSDA Communications Specialist Mosquito abatement goes far beyond ensuring your backyard barbecue isn't spoiled by mosquitoes as the sun goes down. Mosquito abatement districts canvas their territories trapping, testing and mitigating blooms of mosquitos across the state. The risks posed by mosquitoes are real and can have significant impact on people's lives. Broadly, some of the diseases mosquitos are capable of spreading, and that are present in California, include dengue, chikungunya, Zika, yellow fever, St. Louis encephalitis. While rare, these diseases are a threat to human populations. West Nile Virus was first noted in California in the early 2000's and recently spiked in 2023 with 7,500 cases reported and 300 deaths. Beyond that, approximately 80% of cases will be asymptomatic, making it harder to detect until patients report illness. In 2023, cases surpassed the five-year average in California. West Nile Virus does not spread between humans and is more deadly to other animals, including birds and horses. In service to the public health, mosquito abatement districts coordinate with the Department of Public Health (CDPH). "California is fortunate to have over 60 local mosquito and vector control districts. These special districts are the front
line in protecting California residents and visitors from mosquito-borne diseases, such as West Nile virus," stated Dr. Vicki Kramer, Chief of Vector-Borne Disease Section at CDPH. "In collaboration with the California Department of Public Health, districts use sophisticated surveillance and control methods to quickly target mosquito populations, reduce disease transmission risk, and protect public health." Somewhat new to California is the non-native Aedes mosquito that can spread yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya, and Zika to humans. The Aedes aegypti was first detected in 2013 in Clovis and Madera, and now has been detected in 24 counties up to the Oregon border. Aedes albopictus was first detected in southern California in 2011 and was found as far north as Shasta County in 2020. These mosquitoes require very little water to lay their eggs. Aedes aegypti is an aggressive daytime biter and thrives in residential areas where its preferred food source (humans) and abundant egg-laying habitat make survival easy. Additionally, their eggs resist drying out and can lay dormant in dry conditions for up to nine months. In addition to the nuisance pressure from these invasive mosquitoes, they are also capable of
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