VOLUME 6 NO 33

SATURDAY AUGUST 18, 2012

San Gabriel Valley Vector Control officials 
warn that ongoing high temperatures 
and excessive humidity are ideal 
conditions for both rapid mosquito reproduction 
and the diseases they can 
transmit. Los Angeles County is home 
to nearly 15 different mosquito species 
capable of transmitting many pathogens 
including West Nile (WNV), 
St. Louis encephalitis (SLE), western 
equine encephalomyelitis (WEE) viruses, 
and malaria. The recent introduction 
of the invasive Asian tiger 
mosquito expands that list to include 
more than 20 other possible pathogens 
such as dengue and chikungunya viruses. 
Hotter, humid conditions allow 
both mosquitoes and the pathogens 
they transmit to reproduce and spread 
faster.

West Nile virus (WNV) is being actively 
transmitted by mosquitoes (primarily 
Culex spp.) in both the San 
Gabriel and San Fernando Valleys. 
With hotter temperatures, the virus is 
able to replicate faster in mosquitoes 
and can be transmitted to humans by 
infected mosquitoes when they bite. 
Mosquitoes typically develop from 
egg to adult in 7 to 10 days. Higher 
temperatures and increased humidity 
allow mosquitoes to complete this 
cycle in as few as 5 days. Since each 
female mosquito can lay 200-300 eggs 
at a time in standing water, mosquito 
populations will explode if breeding 
continues unabated.

The introduced Asian tiger mosquito 
(Aedes albopictus) prefers humid climates 
typically found in the southern 
and eastern United States. Public 
Health officials worry that the monsoon-
like conditions which are becoming 
more common each summer 
in the Los Angeles Basin will provide 
adequate humidity for this mosquito 
to thrive here as well.

A study released by UCLA’s Department 
of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, 
Mid-Century Warming in the 
Los Angeles Region, predicts the San 
Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys will 
see warmer temperatures overall, and 
the number of extreme hot days are 
projected to nearly quadruple by mid-
century. Around the world, numerous 
studies have shown that climate 
change has extended both the range 
of vector populations and the scope of 
vector-borne disease risks.

District’s Manager Kenn Fujioka 
states, “We are extremely concerned 
about the changing tide in vector control 
today. Serious outbreaks of WNV 
occur annually in Los Angeles County, 
and the prevalence of Asian tiger mosquitoes 
opens the door for emerging 
vector-borne diseases to arrive on our 
doorstep.” Home to one of the busiest 
airports in the world, new vector-
borne diseases can be introduced 
simply with the arrival of an infected 
traveler.

While the risks are truly global, the solutions 
are local. Mosquitoes thrive in 
urban areas because of the plethora of 
standing water humans provide. Additionally, 
many of the viruses they 
transmit are amplified in urban birds 
(crows, sparrows, and finches) that are 
present in large numbers because of 
plentiful food, nesting areas, and water 
available to them. This magnified 
vector-host combination increases the 
risk that vector-borne diseases will be 
transmitted in densely populated urban 
areas – exactly contrary to common 
public perception. When mosquito 
populations are low, pathogens 
are unable to spread rapidly and cause 
epidemics. Mosquito and vector control 
districts are integral in reducing 
these risks but are limited by relatively 
small staffs, fiscal and regulatory burdens, 
and difficulties accessing backyard 
breeding sites.

Urban dwellers must understand these 
risks and how their daily decisions 
may contribute to disease transmission. 
Vector control officials urge all 
residents to pay close attention to 
these recommendations:

• Keep outdoor areas free of accumulated 
belongings. Rain and sprinklers 
fill depressions, crevices, and 
containers and allow mosquitoes to 
reproduce.

• Remove saucers and trays from under 
potted plants. Mosquitoes thrive 
even in small amounts of water.

• Buckets used to water plants and 
root plant cuttings must be emptied 
completely and refilled at least twice-
weekly, treated with larval pesticides, 
or stocked with mosquito-eating fish. 
Rain barrels/cisterns must be kept 
properly sealed and screened at all 
times.

• Keep all pools, ponds, and fountains 
clean and in working order. Immature 
mosquitoes feed on algae and 
bacteria in standing water.

• Prevent water from running off 
property and into gutters. Gutters 
and underground drainages provide 
ideal conditions for mosquito survival. 
Water collecting in swales must 
infiltrate within 96 hours.

• Regularly clean and check yard 
drains and rain gutters to ensure 
water flows as designed. Leaves and 
grass clippings routinely clog drains 
allowing water to puddle and breed 
mosquitoes.

• Avoid the use of birdfeeders and 
keep trash cans sealed tightly to prevent 
augmenting unnaturally high 
populations of virus-prone bird species 
(crows, sparrows, finches) which 
are key players in the WNV cycle.

• Plant natives/drought tolerant vegetation 
to reduce water use and unintended 
runoff. Native plants will provide 
natural food sources for native 
birds and pollinating insect.

• Avoid mosquito bites by applying 
repellents when outdoors and 
keeping doors and windows properly 
screened to keep mosquitoes out. 
Strong outdoor fans and citronella 
candles may reduce mosquito activity 
during outdoor gatherings. Electronic/
ultrasonic devices are not effective.

• Travelers to tropical/subtropical 
areas where mosquito-transmitted 
disease is active should check with 
medical professionals about pre-travel 
vaccinations/medications and actively 
use repellents to prevent bites. 
Seek prompt medical attention if illness 
develops within two weeks of 
return.

We live in a global society and face 
new public health challenges related 
to a warming environment and rapid 
international travel and commerce. 
Protecting public health is everyone’s 
responsibility.

The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector 
Control District is a public health agency 
dedicated to the control of mosquito and 
other vector-borne diseases. The District can 
be reached at 626-814-9466 or on the web at 
www.sgvmosquito.org. 

VECTOR CONTROL WARNS OF 

INCREASED MOSQUITO DANGER 
DUE TO HEAT AND HUMIDITY

SIERRA MADRE NATIVE AWARDED NASA 
SUPERIOR SERVICE AWARD


Brian Van Cleef, Center, is flanked by NASA Administrator, Charles Boldin, a retired Marine Corps General and former 
Space Shuttle pilot/astronaut on his right and on the left are the NASA Inspector General and Deputy Inspector General. 

On August 8, 2012 Sierra Madre native Brian Van Cleef received the NASA Inspector General's Superior Service 
Award for his work as a Special Agent for the NASA Office of Inspector General. The award was presented by 
NASA Administrator Charles Boldin at NASA Headquarters in Washington D.C. 

As a Special Agent at the Ames Research Center, he was recognized for his significan efforts on several complex 
cases. In one case, his work resulted in a $3 million recovery for the United States.

Brian attended St. Rita’s Elementary School and St. Francis High School in La Canada, CA. Brian earned a Bachelor 
of Science Degree in Economics from the University of California at Riverside in 1993 after which he served 
in the United States Air Force and deployed to Saudi Arabia and Italy. After completing his military service

He began work as a Special Agent for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service where he worked in various 
domestic and overseas locations including Bahrain, Guam, Palau, and Thailand. 

Prior to NASA Brian also worked as a Special Agent for the U.S. Office of Export Enforcement. 

Brian, his wife and two daughters, currently lives and works in northern California. Brian is the son of Sierra 
Madre residents Rudy and Marianne Van Cleef. Brian is also a member of Sierra Madre's VFW, Post 3208.


Christopher Nyerges: What if you had to evacuate? Pg. 5

This Week’s Highlights: 

Best Friends/Sports Page 10 

Arts/Health Page 11

Homes & Property Page 12 

The Good Life Page 13

Business Today Page 14

Opinion Page 15

Left/Right - SM Notices Page 16

Legal Notices Page 17-19

Calendar Page 2

Sierra Madre News Page 3

Pasadena/Altadena Page 4

Around San Gabriel Valley Page 5

Arcadia Page 6

Monrovia/Duarte Page 7

Education and Youth Page 8

Good Food & Drink Page 9

SIERRA MADRE NEWS

AROUND SG Valley

1

5

Sierra Madre Search & Rescue

ARCADIA NEWS

6

PASADENA/ALTADENA

4

MONROVIA/DUARTE

7

Feinstein & The Pops


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