In Summer’s War Against Zika and Mosquito-Borne Disease, Pasadena Moves Towards Full Vector Control Protection

City officials said this week that Pasadena could be under the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District’s jurisdiction by the end of the year, giving residents better protection from life-threatening diseases such as the West Nile Virus and Zika Virus, both spread by various species of mosquitoes.

Pasadena Public Health Director Michael Johnson said there are still a number of steps that should happen in order for the annexation to be finalized, after the Pasadena City Council voted for the change.

Johnson had campaigned for the move after determining his department could not provide the proper training, equipment or supplies to monitor and combat adult mosquitoes that could potentially carry the West Nile and Zika viruses.

Johnson said San Gabriel Valley has submitted its application to Los Angeles County, through the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) to start the annexation process. By merging with the SGV Mosquito and Vector Control District, Pasadena could see enhanced services including increased disease surveillance and mosquito control, expanded services in case of an outbreak, expanded community outreach and education, access to a highly specialized laboratory facility, and staff trained to investigate other diseases.

These services will be available at a cost of less than $1 per parcel to all residential property owners, Johnson said.

In the meantime, Johnson said new funding from the U.S. Center for Disease Control in Atlanta is supporting some additional regional preparedness and response efforts in California.

Although Zika and West Nile-carrying mosquitoes have been identified in some parts of the San Gabriel Valley, none of the species have been known to be infected by any of those viruses. Additionally, no presence of those mosquitoes has yet been confirmed in Pasadena as of last July.

The Pasadena Public Health Department frequently posts updates on the monitoring of mosquito-borne diseases and the process on the City’s annexation to the SGV Mosquito and Vector Control District on its website. For more information, visit www.cityofpasadena.net/PublicHealth.