Short Bites Monthly

Your digest for August 2023.

The image features a hand holding a phone displaying an insect (possibly a mosquito) with text reading "August Update."

Short Bites Monthly ensures that our data as a public health agency remains transparent to the public and to people who are interested in our mission.

The image features the phrase "IN YOUR COMMUNITY" alongside colorful house icons against a light background.

Events

  • Thank you to the all of the cities and event organizers who booked us up for the month of August. We look forward to continuing these partnerships!
  • This month, we attended Naitonal Night Out, concerts in the park, community meetings, and family centered events in various cities throughout our District.
A health event promoting mosquito repellent to prevent virus transmission in the community, featuring educational materials.
Image of District staff working a community event.

Outreach Efforts

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Image of our outreach efforts this month.
  • We have detected West Nile virus (WNV) activity in birds and mosquitoes in several locations throughout the district.

Follow West Nile Virus Updates

A person walks down a sidewalk, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and carrying a backpack and pamphlet, with cars and houses in the background.
Image of Communications staff conducting Enhanced Neighborhood Support.
  • We have responded to WNV with enhanced investigation and control measures. Our efforts include increased surveillance, public education, and control to reduce the threat of West Nile virus human infection.
  • This month, our District has focused on Enhanced Neighborhood Support (ENS) in high trap count communities.
  • Although we dedicate more field time to conduct ENS, mosquito control is still a shared responsibility.

See what residents can do to control mosquitoes in their communities

A man is posting a notice about West Nile virus in a community, with trash bins visible nearby and greenery around.
Image of a Technician posting West Nile virus treatment notification signs.
text, chalk board

EcoHealth Newsletter

Read Past Newsletters

Citizen Science

A woman organizes bags filled with items in an indoor setting, surrounded by more bags on a table.
Image of Education Specialist organizing G.R.I.D. kits for delivery day.
  • At headquarters, we’re preparing materials for delivery. Teachers will soon be able to distibute kits to their students and be a part of a hands-on science experience.

Check Out Our Citizen Science Programs

Little Champions Preschool Program

Two children examine insect specimens displayed in framed cases at a learning space, showing a curiosity for nature.
Image of students exploring the Little Champions display material.
  • Our Little Champions Preschool Program is thriving! Thank you to the teachers who booked our program throughout the Spring and Summer months.
  • This Winter, we will be creating a new interractiv, NGSS-aligned booklet for Pre-K and Kindergarten students.

Digital Communication

  • West Nile virus (WNV) is the most pervasive threat in California and is transmitted by local Culex mosquitoes.
  • Since WNV is endemic to the San Gabriel Valley, we work hard to prevent local disease outbreaks.

Read West Nile Virus Updates

A person stands in front of a green screen holding a sign while another person directs them, with a studio setup in the background.
Image of Communications Specialist directing the District’s Public Health Barbie.
  • This month, the District creates Public Health Barbie. Stay tuned for a video launch to see what this Barbie comes with.
The image features text that reads "IN DISEASE CONTROL & MONITORING" beside an illustration of a microscope with a virus graphic.

We continue to focus on maintaining essential vector surveillance including mosquito trap routes, arbovirus testing, providing weekly data to the District, and maintaining the mosquito fish and mosquito colonies.

A person is placing a container into a gray device or box, surrounded by green plants, possibly for a monitoring or maintenance task.
Image of our Vector Control Specialist setting up a trap.

Data Collection

The image shows a map of the San Gabriel Valley area with blue circles indicating specific locations or points of interest.
Image of average mosquitoes per trap by sampling location and by city/community. The size of the bubbles on the map reflects the relative numbers of mosquitoes caught at each trap.
The image displays a pie chart showing mosquito species distribution, with Cx quinquefasciatus making up 90.56%.
This chart depicts the overall abundance of mosquitoes collected during the current reporting period. Species listed on the far right are sorted by total amount collected during this reporting period.
The image shows a bar chart depicting traps set: GRVD (188), BGSENT (97), and CO2 (17).
This chart depicts the total number/types of traps set during this reporting period.
  • This month, enhanced surveillance areas identified high trap counts with positive mosquito samples.
  • We will be continue to follow up on the positive mosquito sites to monitor disease transmission.

Safety Reminders

Tip, toss, protect

Before you go, check out the links we love this month …

The image features bold text that says "LINKS WE LOVE" on an orange background.
spongebob squarepants and patrick star
Tired of Mosquito Bites? Become a Champion! 
  • The Bite Back Program empowers residents to kick mosquitoes out of their neighborhoods like champions. The program's grassroots approach ensures that actions against mosquitoes have direct impact to where you live. 

Learn More

Stay Connected with Mosquito News 
  • Get the most updated information on mosquito activity in your community.

Learn More

Experience California Botanic Garden’s Public Programs 
  • Throughout the year, the Garden offers events and classes that celebrate, enrich and explore our connections to California native plants and the larger natural world.

Learn More

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Want to receive our monthly digest in an email? Sign up to get monthly email alerts 📧 through our Bite Back Program.

 

Communications Department Mission Statement:

Increase transparency and credibility through multi-media dialogue in order to engage and motivate internal, local, regional, statewide, and nationwide stakeholders to take action and become public health agents of change in their communities.

 

🖋 Written by Ally Gaspar, Outreach Assistant