News Briefs | March 2, 2022
Upcoming Events
MVCAC Spring Meeting
Tuesday April 26th and Wednesday April 27th
Sacramento Holiday Inn Downtown Arena
Hotel booking link to come - Room rate $164 plus taxes and parking
Click here for draft schedule
Save the Date!
91st Annual MVCAC Conference
Sunday January 29-Tuesday January 31, 2023
Disneyland Hotel, Anaheim
 
More information to come!
At AMCA and Need CEUs? Check In on the App! 
For all those attending AMCA this week California is offering CEU credits for sessions. This year credits will be tracked through the AMCA mobile app. For each session you attend all you have to do is check in on the app. A report will be provided for credit instead of sign-in sheets. 

If you haven't downloaded the app yet you can via the QR code outside of the plenary session room and/or at registration, or by clicking the button below.
Workshop: Mapping and Spatial Data Analysis for Vector Control
On March 29 and 31, 2022, the MVCAC Laboratory Technologies Committee and Pacific Southwest Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases (PacVec) will host a workshop on using geospatial data with ArcGIS Pro. Space will be limited. Registration and more details are available here: https://ucdavis.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9SvwuL4HIxr63hs.

Deadline to register is March 11th
Vector and Vector Borne Disease Committee Updates
Journal of Medical Entomology Open Access Special Collection: Genetic control of mosquitoes

As the MVCAC embarks upon the increasing use of genetic methods for the control of invasive Aedes, it would seem useful to examine the 50 year history of mosquito releases for genetic control using mostly sterile insect techniques [Benedict, MQ. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjab024] as well as novel methods being developed for replacement and suppression of Anopheles and Aedes [Alderman, ZN and BB Kojin. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjab090; Dobson, SL 2021. https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjab025; Reid, WR, KE Olson, AWE Franz. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjab030].  These Forum papers critically review the literature thereby providing a useful background for Oxitech’s planned update presentation at the 5th Annual Meeting of the Pacific Southwest Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases (PacVec) to be held April 5-6, 2022 at the Embassy Suites Sacramento Riverfront Promenade.  
Newly advertised spatial repellent system for Aedes in the news

Thermacell recently has introduced “The Thermacell LIV Smart Mosquito Repellent System [cost $699 for 100 hrs protection] that creates an installed, large area of mosquito protection customized for your outdoor space. This smart system is all you need to enjoy season-long mosquito protection year after year. No batteries, no sprays on your skin. LIV lands in March 2022.” This system apparently can interface with Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant to turn on/off using voice commands. The repellent is not new and is 5.5% metoflutrhrin [C18H20F4O3 ] which is a type I pyrethroid ester approved as a special repellent.  Buhagiar et al. (2017) previously evaluated this compound indoors against Ae. aegypti and found 100% repellency and mortality.
2022 Sentinel Chicken Order Forms Available Now!
Chickens are being supplied by Haley Farms in Modesto for Northern California and Southern California this year.
If you do not want to use Haley’s, you are welcome to use a different egg ranch closer to your district and make that purchase on your own behalf.

Please return order form by March 18, 2022 Via email or fax to 916-444-7462

Northern and Southern Region
Pick-up date: April 21, 2022 (7 a.m.- 9 a.m.) in Modesto
Haley's Egg Farm
1030 Ladd Road
Modesto, CA 95355
In case of issue their phone is: (209) 649-4579
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.
In 2021, San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District unveiled a new interactive educational experience titled, “Journey of the Germ.” The project was funded through the Entomological Society of America’s Chrysalis Grant, “to bring students closer to the backyard intersection of entomology and virology.”

As the interactive experience begins, a narrative serves as both foundation and guide through the storylines to instill a message that motivates the students who participate in the storylines to learn and develop solutions. The narration takes the students through the pathway West Nile virus follows as it cycles through the suburban Southern California landscape.
Submit your district for the next Spotlight On
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? "Spotlight On" 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 Spotlight On 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.
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.