Moving the Needle(s)

How to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites

Last year, a study identified invasive mosquito species in the Sea to Sky region, and experts have now expanded the study to include the North Shore.

British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is again partnering with the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) and the University of British Columbia (UBC) Department of Zoology, and this time around with the Districts of North and West Vancouver and City of North Vancouver to complete a new surveillance study.

As with the pilot study in the Sea to Sky region, mosquito traps will be distributed throughout the area, and samples will be collected, identified and then tested for California Serogroup viruses (CSGvs) and West Nile virus. Typically, CSGvs cause infections that are either asymptomatic or with mild flu-like illness, but in rare cases, they can cause encephalitis or meningitis.

"Our surveillance work on the North Shore will help us to assess risk and provide timely public health advice," said Dr. Alex Choi, North Shore Medical Health Officer with Vancouver Coastal Health. She encourages the public to continue enjoying outdoor activities, but to be mindful of taking preventative measures against mosquito bites.

Ultimately, project partners hope to get a better picture of the mosquito species present in the region and viruses they carry to better assess public health risks and inform prevention messaging.

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