Portola Valley appoints physician Robert Luo to San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District

The Portola Valley Town Council on April 26 unanimously appointed physician Robert Luo to serve as the town’s representative on the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District board.

Luo, who described a background in public health that includes work for the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta and the World Health Organization in Switzerland, told the council he has led policy and budgeted projects related to vector control and would bring that experience to the district’s board. "I have a background in public health. I'm a physician by training and worked for the Centers for Disease Control, the CDC in Atlanta, as well as the World Health Organization in Switzerland," he said.

Council members questioned Luo about how he would stay engaged during a multiyear appointment and about community outreach. Luo said he currently works in an administrative role at Sanford and would "consult whatever resources or do whatever reading or study up on any particular issues" to be an effective representative. He told council members he had reviewed the district's recent annual reports and would help publicize the services the district offers, such as field checks and laboratory testing for vector-related illnesses.

On questions about testing services, Luo stated the district conducts tick testing and said he has toxicology training but was unsure whether the district performs rodenticide testing for found animals; he offered to look into that further for Portola Valley. "That's an example of something I'd love to be able to represent Portola Valley on and find more information about," he said.

When asked about control methods, Luo said he favors responsible, minimal use of chemical spraying when necessary to protect public health, while remaining open to biological and other nonchemical techniques. "I would want to see something that is not only responsible, but also kind of the minimal that is going to be effective to control vectors to prevent the spread of human disease," he said.

Resident and physician Mary Hufty voiced support for Luo and asked whether he would act as a spokesman for local "boots-on-the-ground" concerns; Luo said he would. After the interview and brief public remarks, the council moved to appoint him. The chair called for a motion to appoint Robert; the motion was seconded and the council voted in the affirmative.

The council encouraged the newly appointed representative to introduce himself at an upcoming Wednesday meeting and noted a later, more formal presentation with Captain Brandon Dussel was planned for the same session.

Details of vote counts, the names of the motion mover and seconder were not specified on the record.