San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District (the District) is and independent special district formed pursuant to the California Health and Safety Code, Section 2000 et seq.. The District is governed by an appointed Board of Trustees, with representatives from each incorporated city and the county at large. The trustees are appointed for either a two or four year term and serve without compensation.
The District's staff includes administrative, technical, and operational positions to facilitate the mission and day-to-day operations of mosquito and vector surveillance and control. District operations are funded by property taxes, a special tax, and a benefit assessment.
The District’s Board of Trustees meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 1:00 p.m. at the District’s main office located at 7759 S. Airport Way, Stockton, CA 95206. Meeting of the Board of Trustees are open to the public.
Historical Perspective
1930s
San Joaquin County health officials enlisted the aid of the Civilian Conservation Corps to remove brush along local streams to reduce mosquito producing stagnant water.
1940s
The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors and residents of the City of Lodi formed the Northern San Joaquin County Mosquito Abatement District in 1945. The District uses techniques and materials gleaned from WWII to control mosquitoes capable of spreading malaria.
1950s
A second district, the San Joaquin Mosquito Abatement District, was formed for Stockton and the southern portion of the county in 1955. Mosquito-borne St. Louis encephalitis and western equine encephalomyelitis outbreaks are experienced in California, and there are many human and equine cases in San Joaquin County between 1952 and 1957.
1980s
In response to fiscal cutbacks from Proposition 13 in 1978, the governing bodies of the two mosquito abatement districts agreed to consolidate and form the San Joaquin County Mosquito Abatement District in 1980. The consolidated district provided services to all citizens and visitors of the San Joaquin County from a centralized location and staff.
1990s
The District expanded its mission in 1993 to include the surveillance and emergency control of other vectors, including ticks and feral bees. To reflect the newly adopted tasks, the District changes its name to "San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District". Mosquito-borne western equine encephalitis was detected in adult mosquitoes and sentinel chickens for several years between 1993 and 1996, but fortunately there were no human or equine infections. Mosquito-borne West Nile virus was detected in New York in 1999, and the District anticipated the spread to California in coming years.
2000s
West Nile virus is detected in California in 2003, and in San Joaquin County in 2004. The District responded to West Nile virus epidemic conditions in 2005, 2006, and 2007.
