229 - First year of targeted sterile insect releases to control Aedes aegypti in the West Valley region of southern California

Abstract: Aedes aegypti is of great public health importance because of its vectorial capacity to transmit various arboviruses such as Zika, yellow fever, dengue, and chikungunya. In California, its geographic distribution has been expanding since its first detection in 2013. Between 2016 and 2023, over 1200 travel-associated dengue cases were documented in California, indicating the risk of local transmission. In 2023, two locally acquired dengue cases were reported in southern California. This indeed calls for an urgent need for innovative tools to strengthen the existing Integrated Vector Management (IVM) to control this invasive mosquito. Following a successful trial in 2023, the West Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District has incorporated Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) to its IVM toolbox. Starting in April 2024, the District applied targeted SIT in selected Ae. aegypti hotspots. Here we report the results of our first year SIT applications. Lessons learned and implications for medium-to-small districts will be discussed.