Vector Control warns of rising dengue cases; asks South Gate to share outreach and referrals

The Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District on May 13 briefed the South Gate City Council on increases in dengue and other mosquito-borne illnesses and described its integrated vector management approach of surveillance, control and education.

David Palin, communications manager for the district, told the council that the district is monitoring a rise in dengue cases, including travel-related infections and a small number of locally acquired cases, and that West Nile virus remains a continuing concern. Palin summarized the district's tools: high-visibility service requests and door-to-door responses for reported cases, medium-visibility inspections and treatments of public sources such as canals and green swimming pools, and lower-visibility activities including treatment of underground storm drains and flood channels.

Palin described a sterile-insect technique pilot in which irradiated male mosquitoes are released to mate with wild females so resulting eggs are nonviable; the district said the technology is environmentally friendly and can reduce reliance on chemical pesticides. He also asked the council to partner on outreach by adding district information to the city website, sharing social-media materials and encouraging residents to call vector control when they see potential breeding sources.

Councilmembers praised vector-control staff for their work and asked for materials to distribute via the city's social channels. A council motion to "receive and file" the presentation was made and carried unanimously among members present.

The district noted its annual assessment figure and the number of operational visits to South Gate last year; it also emphasized that residents can request inspections and that the district will treat certain public and private breeding sites when appropriate.

Palin closed by asking the council to direct staff to share district contact information and educational materials with residents so the district can respond to reports of standing water, neglected pools, clogged gutters and other local mosquito sources.

The council voted to receive and file the presentation; no additional action or funding was requested at the meeting. City staff said they would follow up on adding vector-control resources to city communications channels.