Marin/Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control District Update to the Town of San Anselmo May 9, 2017
The Marin/Sonoma MVCD has provided comprehensive mosquito and disease control services to areas in Marin since 1915. In 2004, all the unserved areas of both Marin and Sonoma Counties were annexed into the Mosquito District. As populations have increased and global travel become the norm, new vectors and diseases have become more of a threat to our communities.
Governance District is governed by a 24-member Board of Trustees, which appoints a Manager to carry out all District operations Trustees are appointed by Cities, Towns and the two Counties to either 2 or 4 year terms of office Ranjiv Khush Ph.D is Trustee for Town of San Anselmo
Mission Statement (Adopted in late 2016 at a public workshop) The Marin/Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District, founded in 1915, protects the health and welfare of the communities it serves from mosquitoes and vector-borne diseases by utilizing cost-effective, environmentally responsible integrated vector management.
Services Provided Mosquito Control Includes Free Mosquitofish Program Surveillance, testing and early detection of existing and emerging diseases, such as West Nile virus, Chikungunya, Dengue and Yellow Fevers, Lyme disease, Encephalitis, Hantavirus, or plague. Testing Laboratory & Disease Surveillance Program Yellowjacket Control Rodent Control Advice and on-site Inspections K-12 School Presentations (Science curriculum) Participation in Local Events such as Fairs, Festivals Insect Identification services
Integrated Vector Management Program Stresses prevention via outreach, education as primary strategies Physical control and biological control are also key approaches (source reduction) District works closely with organic growers and beekeepers Many of the products used by the District are certified for use in organic operations (all listed on our web site) Full Programmatic Environmental Impact Report was completed and certified in 2016
Environmental Impact Report
Mosquito Control Program Inspections Identification & Disease Surveillance Treatments
Mosquito, magnified
West Nile Virus (WNV) Since 1999 more than 45,395 people in the United States have been reported as becoming ill with WNV. WNV is a mosquito-borne virus that infects animals and humans after being bitten by infected mosquitoes. Approximately 80% of people infected with the virus are asymptomatic. About one in 150 people infected with WNV will develop severe illness. The severe symptoms include: high fever, headache, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks and neurological effects can be permanent.
Local West Nile Virus during 2016 16 dead birds from Marin County were processed for testing during 2016 (Am. Crow/Western Scrub Jay) 5 were positive for WNV Closest positive birds found were in San Rafael (two) No Human Cases in Marin County in 2016
Local Mosquito Threats Culex tarsalis Western Encephalitis Mosquito West Nile Virus Culex stigmatosoma Banded Foul Water Mosquito West Nile Virus Culiseta inornata Large Winter Mosquito West Nile Virus Culex erythrothorax Tule Mosquito West Nile Virus Culiseta particeps No common name West Nile Virus There are currently 22 different species of mosquito found in Marin and Sonoma Counties. Emerging species of mosquito such as the Yellow Fever & Asian Tiger mosquitoes could bring the threat of new diseases. Aedes albopictus Asian Tiger Mosquito Yellow Fever
Maps of local Mosquito Sources District receives requests for help with aggressive tree-hole mosquitoes General view of known mosquito sources General view of known mosquito sources
Zoomed in view of local Zoomed in view of local mosquito Mosquito sources sources (not all 1,382 shown) (not all 297 shown)
District Activity in San Anselmo 2017 to date 27 Mosquito Service Requests 1 Yellowjacket calls/control 3 Rodent/Rat onsite inspections 0 Mosquito larvae-eating fish stocking (fish available in mid-may 2017) 2016 123 Mosquito Service Requests 35 Yellowjacket calls/control 4 Rodent/Rat onsite inspections 16 Mosquito larvae-eating fish stocking
2017 Mosquito Season District is already experiencing high demand for services Heavy rainfall, standing water & above-average temperatures make it likely that mosquito production will be very high this year.
Aerial Survey for green pools/spas
San Pablo National Wildlife Refuge Up to 200 acres of production of Aedes dorsalis and squamiger mosquitoes with 20 mile flight range District working with Refuge to reduce mosquito breeding & endangered species concerns
Rodents Rodent Inspections Laboratory personnel collecting blood samples from rodents for hantavirus and plague testing Deer mice are ubiquitous and are notorious carriers of hantavirus Public awareness of virus activity is critical for the health and safety of our communities
Ticks Tick Identification and Lyme Disease Surveillance Tick Collecting
Ticks: Local Testing
Public Outreach & Education campaign active in: Independent Journal Novato Advance San Rafael News Pointer Ross Valley Reporter Twin Cities Times Mill Valley Herald Sausalito Marinscope Radio stations
Protecting Public Health & Welfare
Financial Stewardship In wake of failure of 2015 Benefit Assessment, District reduced staffing and budget and is studying its future priorities in order to continue to meet expanding demand for services with stagnant revenues. Pension funding ratios: Retirees 100% Active members (current staff) 50.6% Overall funding ratio approx. 84% Staff made concessions on pay and benefits in August 2014 contract; now under renegotiation. New hires pay more into pensions and benefit plans - and receive less. No paid medical benefit in retirement for new hires District has plan & a fund to address its OPEB (retirement medical) liability
Questions? Ranjiv Khush, Trustee Philip Smith, District Manager phils@msmosquito.com www.msmosquito.com (707) 285-2204