In this Issue:

MVCAC Annual Conference Mentorship Program: Year Two

About the Program

The MVCAC Mentorship Program welcomes new and emerging professionals to the association by pairing them with experienced MVCAC leaders. Building on last year's pilot, this year's pairs are matched earlier so they have time to build a relationship before they meet in person at the Annual Conference. We are looking for approximately 20 participants, or 10 mentor and mentee pairs.

How to Apply

Applications are due November 10.

Inside MVCAC's October Board Meeting

Here’s What Your MVCAC Board Has Been Up To – October 8, 2026 Board Meeting Highlights

The MVCAC Board of Directors met virtually on October 8, 2026. Led by President Paula Macedo. The session focused on governance actions, the DART partnership, systems evaluation, conference planning, and updates amid elevated West Nile virus and Aedes aegypti activity across much of the state.

MVCAC DART Steering Committee Survey Deadline: October 30th

At the October 8 Board of Directors meeting, the Board approved formation of a permanent DART Steering Committee and authorized the Executive Director and Board President to negotiate an MOU with UC Davis/DART (no immediate cost to the association). A longer-term subscription model is also under consideration to help sustain adult mosquito disease surveillance testing.



To guide the Steering Committee’s work on structure, pricing, and support, we need your agency’s input. Please take a few minutes to complete the short survey below by October 30, 2026.

WNV & Dead Bird Call Center Closed for the Season

On Friday, October 16th, the California WNV & Dead Bird Call Center transitioned to internet-only reporting. This marks the end of the WNV dead bird testing season in California for 2026. This year, approximately 9,481 dead birds have been reported, 2,174 have been tested, and 734 birds have tested positive for WNV.

Dead bird reports will still be accepted online through the fall and winter at: https://westnile.ca.gov. CDPH staff will review each internet report and follow up as necessary.

If your agency has questions or would like to continue dead bird testing through the winter, please email: Marie.Cerda@cdph.ca.gov

Thank you for your participation this season!