Innovative mosquito control interventions are urgently needed to address the spread of the Aedes aegypti mosquito in California. This invasive, disease-spreading species has spread rapidly through the state magnified by climate change, increasing global travel, and trade.
Following the successful launch of its Friendly™ Aedes aegypti pilot project in the Florida Keys, Oxitec received approval in March 2022 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to pilot our innovative mosquito control technology in California in partnership with the Delta Mosquito & Vector Control District (Delta MVCD).
Oxitec filed a Research Authorization (RA) application with the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) in 2022 to conduct a pilot program of our Friendly™ Aedes aegypti solution. This RA application was voluntarily withdrawn in May 2023 as the timing associated with the evaluation by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) will preclude the deployment of a California field pilot in the 2023 mosquito season.
Oxitec will continue its pursuit of approval to serve Californians with its Friendly™ Aedes aegypti solution, an alternative to the use of conventional pesticides, for future field seasons. Oxitec will also continue to carry out public engagement and education efforts, stakeholder engagement, and other outreach efforts throughout the state.
Key Information
Oxitec’s Friendly™ Aedes aegypti solution was approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for pilot programs in Florida, Texas and California.
Following invitations from ten local mosquito control districts in California, in March 2022 Oxitec applied to DPR for a RA permit to conduct field pilots in partnership with Delta Mosquito and Vector Control District (“Delta”) in Tulare County, California.
Given timelines associated with DPR’s review, which has not been finalized, Oxitec and its local partner, Delta, have determined that a field pilot in 2023’s mosquito season will not be possible.
Oxitec is, therefore, voluntarily pausing this specific application and will re-submit for mosquito seasons in the near future. Oxitec’s 2023 focus will now be on a third Aedes aegypti pilot season in Florida, in partnership with the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District.
Oxitec will continue to carry out public outreach and education in relation to the value that biological pest control solutions can offer to California’s pursuit of new pest control solutions in the face of rising pest pressures and increasing chemical pesticide resistance, and its efforts to reduce chemical pesticide use generally.
Support for Oxitec’s Field Pilot Application
Oxitec’s efforts in California have been strongly supported by a broad range of stakeholders, ranging from national associations of public health agencies to local vector control districts and community groups, throughout the state and nationally. Oxitec’s application generated significant support from those seeking safe and effective Aedes aegypti control solutions for the state’s growing Aedes aegypti challenges.
Below are links to a selection of organizations that provided statements of support for Oxitec’s RA application:
Endorsement from local host government. Statement of support from Medical & Veterinary Entomologist and General Manager, Delta Mosquito and Vector Control District. Link
Endorsement from the Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California (MCVAC). Statement of support from the MVCAC on behalf of California mosquito and vector control districts to protect the health of people living and visiting California. Link
Endorsement from the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA). Statements of support from the AMCA, which is comprised of hundreds of members (government officials, academic scientists, mosquito control professionals). Link1 Link2 Link3
Endorsement from the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO). Statement of support from NACCHO, serving all 3000 local health departments. Link
Endorsement from the Entomological Society of America (ESA). Statement of support from ESA, the largest organization in the world serving the professional and scientific needs of entomologists and individuals in related disciplines. Link
Endorsement from the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA). Statement of support from NASDA, the national leader for important agricultural issues, representing 50 states and four territories. Link
Next Steps in California
Oxitec will re-submit its application for field pilot authorization to DPR for coming mosquito seasons. In the meantime, Oxitec will continue to work with its local partners and stakeholders on outreach, education and public engagement efforts throughout the state.
About Oxitec’s Broader US Efforts
Carrying out field pilot programs in California is one part of Oxitec’s efforts to introduce its safe, non-toxic and proven Friendly™ Aedes aegypti solution to the U.S. In collaboration with its local government partner in Florida, the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District (FKMCD), Oxitec is now entering its third year of field pilots. This comes after two successful seasons of pilot deployments in which Oxitec’s Aedes aegypti have been shown to disperse, mate and reduce local abundance of this invasive, disease-transmitting species.
Additional Resources
The Delta MVCD-Oxitec Mosquito Project website.
Oxitec’s Public Educational Webinars and other video content.
EPA’s approval and Human and Environmental Health Risk Assessment of the pilot project.
EPA’s responses to public comments.
Latest peer-reviewed scientific publication dedicated to Oxitec’s Aedes aegypti solution.
100+ independent peer-reviewed scientific publications on Oxitec technology.
Oxitec’s announcement of up to 96% Aedes aegypti suppression in Brazil.
Questions, Comments and Feedback
We welcome inquiries from all stakeholders. Please do not hesitate to get in touch via the contact details below.
Email: info@oxitec.com
Website: oxitec.com
Oxitec media inquiries
Email: press@oxitec.com
Call: +1-202-792-3080
Aedes aegypti in California
Since first being detected in 2013 in California, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes have now spread to more than 25 counties throughout the state, including over 300 cities and towns.
Aedes aegypti is an invasive mosquito to the US that can transmit viruses that cause Zika, dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever. This species can also transmit heartworm in dogs, cats and other pets.
Climate change has magnified the risks of invasive mosquito species, with Aedes aegypti now able to withstand temperate California winters. Aedes aegypti is also difficult to control, and is widely resistant to commonly used insecticides. New, innovative approaches to mosquito control are urgently needed to protect Californians from this growing public health threat.
News
Events
Oxitec has hosted Public Educational Webinars with Delta MVCD covering a range of topics about our technology and how it works, the impact of the Aedes aegypti mosquito in California, and the urgent need for new mosquito control technologies. These are available to watch back below.
Resources and Press Center
For press inquiries, please e-mail press@oxitec.com or call +1-202-792-3080.
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