News Briefs | November 20, 2020
Your Support Needed
Dear MVCAC members,
 
You have likely been on emails regarding the EPA’s Human Health Risk Assessment around naled. I strongly encourage you to review those and to consider writing a comment letter regarding this. Even if you do not use naled at your district currently, the language that the EPA is promoting is likely to be used in other reviews, eventually impacting the products that you do use.
 
A packet of identical letters is unlikely to move mountains. I encourage you to consider writing your own letter. I also know that one of the reasons that you pay dues to MVCAC is for us to advocate on your behalf. So, please consider using the template if it would assist you (the highlighted sections need your attention to be updated around your agency and needs). The questions that AMCA has sent out are also excellent ways to frame your thoughts.
 
MVCAC will be submitting a letter as an association. Still, I urge you to write one for your district or as an individual. The deadline was authorized an extension until November 24. I and your regional members of the Regulatory Affairs Committee would be happy to assist you.
 

Best regards,
 
Jennifer A. Henke, M.S.
Regulatory Affairs Chair
MVCAC Annual Conference Corner
February 1-3, 2021
Happening LIVE online! 
Registration is now OPEN!
MVCAC Videos from Districts (Montage)

Dear MVCAC Members,  

The 2021 MVCAC Conference Planning Committee continues to work on developing a memorable event despite the current pandemic. In an effort to connect us across the state, we would like to gather messages from the different districts and share with all attendees.  
 
We Need You 
We hope your district/agency is willing to participate by answering the following questions on video: 
  1. How have your services changed since COVID-19 began? 
  2. How do you connect and engage with staff virtually and keep spirits up?  
  3. With respect to COVID, do you have any words of encouragement or advice for staff and young professionals in vector control across the state? 
 
Deadline to send videos: December 7, 2020 by EOD 
MVCAC 2021 Virtual Conference Survey

Greetings MVCAC Members! The MVCAC 2021 Conference Planning committee is thinking of fun ways to keep us all connected during these unprecedented times. While nothing is better than in person interaction for our yearly conference, below are some ideas that are being discussed and we would love to hear your feedback.

To better guide the planning committee, please fill out the survey below. Thank you in advance for your input!
Laboratory Technologies Committee Survey

The Laboratory Technologies Committee is trying to get a handle on how many districts in the state are testing ticks, what species are being tested, and what types of assays are being used. Please take a moment to fill out the survey below to help us get a better picture of tick testing across the state. Please complete this short survey by Friday, December 4. Thanks!!
Exhibitors/Sponsors

The MVCAC 2021 Virtual Conference Exhibitor Prospectus is now available - Click here to view
Utility Vaults and Mosquito Production Survey
With the spread of invasive Aedes mosquitoes throughout the state, there has been a renewed interest in addressing the problems associated with mosquito production in utility vaults. To aid in regulatory outreach, we have prepared a survey to assess the extent of the problem for various VCDs. Your feedback would be greatly appreciated. Please try to complete the survey by Friday, December 4th.  

Thanks, 
MVCAC Regulatory Affairs Committee 
Share Your Post COVID-19 Exposure Methods With Us
MVCAC is looking for member districts to share with us their post COVID exposure methods and logistics. Please email the methods you have in place to mvcac@mvcac.org and we will add them to the COVID-19 page on the MVCAC website.

Thank you!
MVCAC Member Resources Re: COVID-19
MVCAC will be assembling and posting some information and templates of what some Districts have created and shared as they manage their operations. Items like sample document for field staff to carry in addition to their ID to validate status/purpose and actions related to seasonal hires. It will be posted as it becomes available to a new members-only page on the MVCAC website.

Click the button below to login and view.
Submit your district for the next Agency Spotlight
Does your agency have a success story, a staff member you would like to publicly recognize, or an innovation by your agency that you would like to highlight? "Agency Spotlight" on the MVCAC website is one way to share your story! Each submission which meets the specified criteria will be reviewed and posted on the MVCAC website on the Agency Spotlight page and highlighted on the homepage in the rotating feature box. Each story will remain posted for 1-2 months before being moved to a publicly archived page. 

Interested? Click here to fill out an application!

Applications can be submitted to the MVCAC office at mvcac@mvcac.org
HR resources for districts to use and to upload information into
District Managers - Please upload your HR resources and information into this Google Drive along with using it for your own district.

Click here to access the Google Drive.
News Headlines
MVCAC News Briefs - Giant Asian Hornets
Please note: The items contained below are not the views or opinions of MVCAC but they are what is being reported in the media. The goal of MVCAC providing this information is to keep MVCAC members informed of all news articles that are being presented regarding Giant Asian Hornets.

CSDA Giant Asian Hornets Video: 

 
MVCAC News Briefs - Zika Updates
Please note: The items contained below are not the views or opinions of MVCAC but they are what is being reported in the media. The goal of MVCAC providing this information is to keep MVCAC members informed of all news articles that are being presented regarding Zika.
MVCAC News Briefs - Other Outbreaks
Please note: The items contained below are not the views or opinions of MVCAC but they are what is being reported in the media. The goal of MVCAC providing this information is to keep MVCAC members informed of all news articles that are being presented regarding other outbreaks.

11/18/2020: California Horse Confirmed With WNV - The Horse


Do you have important news to share about your district or mosquito and vector issues? 
If you would like your news to be included in the MVCAC News Briefs, please send press releases and/or links to relevant news articles to mvcac@mvcac.org
MVCAC Jobs Board
Interested in a career in mosquito and vector control? Check out the MVCAC Jobs Board at www.mvcac.org
 
Have a Job or RFP to post to MVCAC.org? 
Requests to post job listings (no more than 500 words in length) should be submitted to the webmaster at mvcac@mvcac.org.
MVCAC Sustaining Member Corner
Note: MVCAC does not endorse the products below, but we do support our Sustaining Members

Central Life Sciences has announced the release of Aqua Zenivex™ E20, a reduced-risk adulticide for mosquito control professionals.