David Heft: Protecting Californians from mosquito-borne disease can be costly
The Turlock Mosquito Abatement District and the Mosquito & Vector Control Association of California would like to thank the Editorial Board for recognizing the value and importance of mosquito control efforts in California, “Our View: California safer than most from Zika virus” (Jan. 30). That said, I want to correct some inconsistencies in the article regarding the Zika virus.The primary vector of West Nile virus is Culex pipiens in Northern California (Culex quinquefasciatus in Southern California), not Culex modestus.
Products approved for use to control mosquitoes must meet California’s stringent health and safety standards. Districts use Ultra Low Volume techniques, applying less than an ounce of pesticide over an entire acre. These products have no residual and are safe when applied at such low application rates. There are no special precautions or hazards to pets from “rolling in the grass.” As of 2014, there have been 1,765 fatalities from West Nile virus – the article mentioned that only 290 people had died nationwide. Note that thousands more have been hospitalized, many with long-lasting disabilities.
Many districts are facing challenges in battling these new invasive species and the potential emerging diseases in California with no additional resources.
David Heft, Turlock
This story was originally published February 4, 2016 at 1:30 PM with the headline "David Heft: Protecting Californians from mosquito-borne disease can be costly."