Mosquito Control Agencies Gear Up For 2013 West Nile Virus Season After Last Year's Severe Outbreak

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Feb. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California (MVCAC) will host its 2013 Annual Conference with state and national experts on hand to look at threats to public health and California's environment addressed by mosquito and vector control agencies across the state.  Combating West Nile virus (WNV) remains a priority for public health officials.  Based on statistics released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on WNV in 2012, California had 451 confirmed human cases with 16 fatalities.  Texas experienced the worst outbreak in 2012 with 1,739 confirmed cases of WNV and 76 fatalities.  Roger S. Nasci, Chief, Arboviral Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, CDC, will be presenting at the conference on the recent WNV outbreak in Texas and lessons that can be shared throughout the country.

MVCAC's 2013 Annual Conference will be held February 3-6 at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento.  Topics will include new mosquito surveillance techniques, Hantavirus and rodents, efforts to combat the Asian tiger mosquito in the southern region as well as new challenges due to increased resistance in carriers of vector-borne diseases. 

"Mosquito and vector control agencies are most successful when they have an opportunity to share experiences on best management practices and scientific results coming from field and laboratory work," said MVCAC President Andrew Cox.  "During these three days, many of the brightest minds in mosquito and vector control will gather to strategize on how to combat vector-borne diseases and save Californians' lives. 

Our agencies are committed to being prepared in 2013 to mitigate any threats to California citizens from carriers of vector-borne diseases.  We provide these valuable public services through our state in the most environmentally conscience and scientifically proven methods," said Cox.

The MVCAC conference kicks off the evening of Sunday, February 3, 2013, and concludes with the MVCAC Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday, February 6, 2013.  Attendees will include trustees, managers, supervisors, technicians, vector ecologists and biologists, and state and local public health officials. 

MVCAC is the statewide association representing public mosquito abatement and vector control agencies and related professionals.  MVCAC's mission is to provide quality public information, comprehensive mosquito and vector-borne disease surveillance, training to high professional standards, and effective legislative advocacy on behalf of California mosquito and vector control districts.  Additional information can be found at www.mvcac.org.

SOURCE Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California

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