San Gabriel Valley Mosquito Control District Honors Student Vector Inspectors

The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District (SGVMVCD) has awarded 306 students the title of Vector Inspector of the Year for their participation in a mosquito surveillance program.

The SGVMVCD provides a range of services to Pasadena residents aimed at controlling mosquito populations and preventing mosquito-borne diseases. 

The students, hailing from Sierra Madre, Rosemead, San Dimas, and West Covina, took part in Operation Mosquito G.R.I.D. (Growth Reduction, Increased Detection), using professional tools to detect invasive Aedes mosquitoes throughout an entire academic year.

These mosquitoes can transmit diseases such as dengue, yellow fever, Zika, and chikungunya, posing a potential threat to San Gabriel Valley communities if left unchecked.

“By participating in Operation Mosquito G.R.I.D., middle school students make valuable contributions to public health efforts within their community while fostering a culture of scientific inquiry and civic engagement among our youth,” Carol Anne Hagele, San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District Education Specialist, said. 

The year-long commitment required students to prepare their properties for surveillance and submit two types of data within the first six weeks of enrollment.

Participants collected stagnant water samples to identify mosquito larvae and used lure papers to detect egg-laying Aedes mosquitoes. They continued reporting data through follow-up surveys at one, three, and six months.

“It is extremely important and worthwhile for students and families to know how easy it is to prevent or decrease mosquitoes in their neighborhoods,” said Ravi Dev Anandhan, a teacher from Sierra Madre Middle School.

The program, part of EcoHealth Vector Education, is designed to encourage students to become agents of change in their local communities. It aligns with California Next Generation Science Standards.

“The sustained effort and enthusiasm of the Vector Inspector of the Year award recipients to keep their community safe from mosquito-borne disease deserves recognition and praise,” Hagele said. 

The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District, one of five vector control districts in Los Angeles County, monitors stagnant water sources year-round and conducts regular surveillance of adult mosquito populations.

The agency tests adult female mosquitoes for West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases, while also examining samples from dead birds to track disease spread.

Registration for the fall 2024 Operation Mosquito G.R.I.D. program is now open at www.vectoreducation.org. 

For more information on the the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District’s free programs, visit https://www.sgvmosquito.org/.