Short Bites Monthly

Your digest for October 2023.

A hand holding a smartphone displays an image of a mosquito, accompanied by the text "October Update" in orange.

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.

Happy Halloween Champions!

We hope you enjoy scary celebrations tomorrow that don’t involve mosquito bites. Also, if you’re expecting trick-or-treaters, be sure to Tip, Toss, & Protect so your home isn’t the scariest house on the block.

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

Events

  • This month, repellent education was the focus of our District messaging. We also presented at various senior center community meetings throughout our District. Thank you to those who requested our presence.
  • We provided Bite Prevention Kits to select cities which is determined by our mosquito trap count data - See data charts below ‘In Disease Control & Monitoring’ section.

Outreach Efforts

Table Gaphic
  • This month, we have responded to elevated mosquito activity with enhanced investigation and control measures. The areas of Enhanced Neighborhood Support (ENS) are based on our mosquito trap count data and neighborhood risk assessment.
A person is attaching a mosquito control public health notice to a tree in a park. The notice provides information and resources.
Image of a Technician posting a Treatment Notification sign in treatment area.
  • Our October efforts include increased surveillance, public education, and control to reduce the threat of mosquito-borne disease human infections.
Three people in work uniforms are outside a building, with one using a backpack blower and the others monitoring or observing.
Image of Vector Control Specialists controling mosquito populations from mosquito trap data that is monitored weekly.
text, chalk board

EcoHealth Newsletter

Read Past Newsletters

Citizen Science

A woman wearing gloves examines an item in a lab-like setting, with various materials on a counter and a waste bin nearby.
Image of Education Specialist analyzing students’ Aedes mosquito egg paper submissions.
  • At headquarters, we’re analyzing collected water samples and Aedes egg papers, as seen in the phot above.
  • Thank you to participating teachers and students who submited these samples! Our District is grateful for your participation in community science.

Check Out Our Citizen Science Programs

The image shows two insects under magnification, one resembling a mosquito and the other similar to a midge or small fly.
Microscopic image of a student’s water sample that contains a male mosquito (left insect) and a termite (right insect).

Digital Communication

  • If you’re planning on trick-or-treating this Halloween, don’t forget to wear repellent. See our repellent page for more information.
  • Since West Nile Virus (WNV) is endemic to the San Gabriel Valley, we work hard to prevent local disease outbreaks.
  • This month, we used targeted ads to spread awareness about mosquito activity in communities that needed treatments.
A woman organizes materials at a table in an office, working with public health documents and supplies.
Image of Outreach Assistant preparing team for Treatment Notification posting.
  • Our messaging, whether in print or online, is up to date on the latest mosquito information. You can access them here.
A person working at a desk, engaging with design software and looking at a website on a second monitor, with sticky notes around.
Image of Communications Specialist creating social media content for targeted ads.
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 wearing blue gloves is handling a mesh item inside a container in a lab, with various lab equipment and paperwork visible.
Image of a Vector Control Specialist organizing mosquito trap findings.

Data Collection

The image shows a map with blue dots indicating various locations in and around the Los Angeles area, likely representing data points or events.
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 pie chart shows species distribution: Cx quinquefasciatus (84.8%), Ae aegypti (12.08%), and others in smaller percentages.
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.
Chart graphic
This chart depicts the total number/types of traps set during this reporting period.
  • This month, our surveillance traps have seen an overall increase of Aedes abundance across the district. In response to this data, we added 11 additional trapping events to monitor.

 

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.
Excited Gif
Know a Future Entomologist? Read & Share This. 
  • Read how a life-long interest in wildlife brought one entomologist to vector-borne disease ecology.

Learn More

Vector Control Saves the Day in Your Community! 
  • Learn how your local Vector Control District responded to a rare mosquito-borne disease case.

Learn More

Girl Scouts: Climate Challenge & Tree Promise Opportunities 

Learn More

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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