From mid-fall 2022 through spring 2023, California has seeing one of the wettest seasons on record as some areas received as much as 200% over historical average rainfall (Padilla, 2023).  While this is good news for the State which was enduring several years of drought, this is bad news for vector control; more specifically, the anticipated arrival of mosquito season.  As many people may know, to prevent mosquitoes from breeding, remove any standing water around your home.  Keep drains and gutters clean to prevent clogging and standing water.  Unfortunately, with lots of rain during the winter and spring season, there will be plenty of standing water hidden from plain sight.  Therefore, we must prepare and protect ourselves from mosquitoes and the diseases they transmit.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies the following viruses and parasites mosquitoes can transmit to humans:

• Cache Valley
• Chikungunya
• Dengue
• Dirofilariasis (dog heartworm)
• Eastern equine encephalitis
• Jamestown Canyon
• Japanese encephalitis
• La Crosse encephalitis
• Lymphatic filariasis
• Malaria
• Rift Valley fever
• Ross River virus disease
• St. Louis encephalitis
• West Nile
• Yellow fever
• Zika

Source: (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020)

This summer, remember to take precautions such as eliminating potential breeding areas for mosquitoes, protect yourself when outdoors, protect the inside of your home, and when traveling, make sure to research your destination and take necessary precautions.  Areas in the tropics and subtropics are especially warm and humid making it the perfect breeding environment for mosquitoes.  For more information on mosquitoes and how to protect yourself, please read and download the Get Ready form from the American Public Health Association.  You can find that form and addition useful Public Health information by clicking here.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, March 6). Mosquitoes and Diseases: A-Z. Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/about/diseases.html

Padilla, R. (2023, January 21). Storm-weary California endures record-breaking rainfall totals. Retrieved from USA Today: https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/graphics/2023/01/21/rainfall-totals-california/11026775002/