Slide2: District Services Independent “Special District” (not part of County government) “Free” services (funded by tax dollars) Services include mosquitoes, rats & mice, yellowjackets, skunks and ticks Protecting Public Health Since 1927


Slide3: West Nile Virus A Brief Overview An arthropod-borne disease primarily hosted in birds Transmitted from bird to bird by way of a mosquito bite Infected mosquitoes can then infect humans and other animals (horses) No human vaccine or cure for WNV Mosquitoes that carry WNV in Contra Costa County can have 5 mile flight range


Slide4: Everyone of any age is at risk 3-14 day incubation period Most infections (80 out of 100) result in mild symptoms or none at all 20 out of 100 – West Nile Fever 1 out of 150 fever is fatal WNV only spread from person to person via mosquito (except rarely through blood transfusions, organ donation, breast feeding) The Disease Itself


Slide5: Potential Sources of Mosquito Production 11% of all Contra Costa Co. homes foreclosed upon in 2008 had swimming pools; 60% of all Contra Costa Co. homes foreclosed upon that had pools were in East County CCMVCD pool and spa inspections 94% in 2008 Neglected Swimming Pools at Foreclosure Properties in Contra Costa County Housing Crisis Impacts Public Health


Slide7: Service Request and Inspection Real Estate Agents, Neighbors, Code Enforcement and Concerned Citizens report “Green” Swimming Pools to CCMVCD CCMVCD Vector Control Aides, Technicians and Inspectors receive Request for Service District VCA, VCT or Inspector visits reported pool or water feature and looks for Mosquito Egg Rafts, Larva or Adult Mosquitoes


Slide8: Treat CCMVCD Vector Control Aides, Technicians and Inspectors take appropriate action based on evidence Egg Rafts: Use Mosquito-eating Fish Larva: Use Mosquito-eating Fish Use EPA-registered pesticide applied by hand or hand sprayer


Slide9: Treat CCMVCD Vector Control Aides, Technicians and Inspectors take appropriate action based on evidence Adult Mosquitoes: Use pesticide registered with the EPA for adult mosquito control applied by truck-mounted sprayer Fogging or spraying for adult mosquitoes occurs only after surveillance indicates large populations of nuisance mosquitoes or testing indicates a threat to public health. Fogging or spraying is concentrated in areas most at risk. Materials used are EPA registered and applied by trained and state-certified technicians


Slide10: Action (If Property is Occupied)


Slide11: Follow Up Inspections & Actions (If Property is Occupied) 2-4 Weeks: CCMVCD VCA, VCT or Inspector will return to the property to ensure Resident/Tennant has addressed mosquito breeding issue If Resident/Tennant fails to resolve problem, the District will issue a 72 hour notice for compliance After 72 hours, as a Public Health Agency has authority to levy $100-$1000/day fines Lien on property


Slide12: Follow Up Inspections & Actions (If Property is Vacant) 4-8 Weeks: CCMVCD VCA, VCT or Inspector will return to the property to ensure mosquito-eating Fish are still functioning properly CCMVCD will continue to inspect this pool on a monthly or bi-monthly basis until the vacant house is occupied and New Resident/Tennant has addressed mosquito breeding issue


Slide13: Mosquito-Eating Fish Mosquito-eating fish (Gambusia affinis) eat up to 500 mosquito larva per fish/day Can live for months, sometimes years Do not shock pools stocked with mosquito-eating fish for temporary appearance It kills the fish and allows for mosquito breeding once chemicals dissipate in 1-2 weeks Notify CCMVCD if fish die Fish can be drained with pool water for permanent pool rehabilitation


Slide14: Repair window and door screens Wear long sleeves and pants when mosquitoes are present Use a repellent containing DEET (10% or less for children, 30% for adults) Get FREE mosquitofish for backyard ponds Call the District at (925) 771-6181 to report mosquito problems


Slide15: For more information REALTORS can contact us: (925) 771-6181 or visit our website, www.ccmvcd.dst.ca.us