During this California Mosquito Awareness Week, the District is planning special events to educate Contra Costa County residents about the risk of mosquitoes and how to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne disease. On Tuesday, the District hosted Cemetery Managers and Employees from across Contra Costa County for a Cemetery Mosquito Management Workshop, on Wednesday, the District is putting together a drone display and the District's Public Affairs department is offering free presentations to schools, community groups, and organizations.

Each of these events underscores the need for every Contra Costa County resident to take the necessary steps to reduce the risk of WNV. Dump out anything holding water in front and back yards, and scrub those containers to remove any sticky mosquito eggs. It is important to dump and scrub because the mosquitoes that can transmit WNV are not the only disease-transmitting mosquitoes in California. In 2022, the District found the invasive mosquito Aedes aegypti in Contra Costa County. This mosquito can spread Zika, dengue fever, and yellow fever making it more important than ever to work together to protect public health and reduce the risk of all mosquitoes and mosquito-borne illnesses.

To reduce the risk of WNV, the District advises Contra Costa County residents to:

• Use an EPA-registered insect repellent that includes one of the four most effective active ingredients: DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or the repellent version of Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus
• Make sure door and window screens are in good working condition
• Report dead birds to the California West Nile Virus Dead Bird Call Center
• Report neglected swimming pools to the District
• Contact the District to request mosquito service

Contra Costa County residents can report dead birds by phone at (877) WNV-BIRD (968-2473) or online. County residents can request mosquito service for their residential properties and report neglected swimming pools by calling (925) 685-9301 or online.

By taking these important steps, we can all protect public health together.

Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District, an independent special district and public health agency, has been protecting public health since 1927 and is located at 155 Mason Circle in Concord.