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1N-1; yrs ries rad viix nieribir METROPOLITAN MOSQUITO CONTROL DISTRICT Ramsey City Administrator Kurt Ulrich 7550 Sunwood Drive Northwest Ramsey, MN 55303 Dear Kurt Ulrich, , Metro Counties Government Center 2099 University Avenue West Saint Paul, MN 55104-3431 (651) 645-9149 www.mmcd.org October 15th, 2021 Enclosed is a summary of work done by the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District (MMCD) in the Ramsey area during the 2021 mosquito control season. Throughout June and July, much of Minnesota was under severe or extreme drought conditions according to the Department of Natural Resources which had a direct impact on mosquito numbers. Most mosquitoes rely on rain for their life cycle and the lack of precipitation brought mosquito numbers down below the 10-year average for the entire season. In 2021 District Staff inspected over 70,000 breeding sites for mosquito larvae and applied 150,593 acres worth of treatments which is less than the 198,678 in 2020 and the 213,800 acres treated in 2019. We also treated 284,863 catch basins in the seven -county metro to control disease mosquitoes. West Nile virus was more active in Minnesota in 2021 than during the past two years. Confirmations of human WNV illnesses have been delayed this year as COVID has strained the public health system. As of October 5, six WNV illnesses had been confirmed in Minnesota with three of those cases in residents of the District (Hennepin County). Data collected by MMCD through mosquito surveillance and testing suggest the final case total for 2021 will be considerably higher. In 2021, 60 mosquito samples tested in our lab were positive for WNV. In 2020 there were six positive mosquito samples and zero human illnesses reported in Minnesota. In 2019 there were five positive mosquito samples and five human illnesses in the state. The last active WNV year was 2018 when we saw 132 WNV positive mosquito samples and 63 human illnesses in Minnesota. For more information about vector - borne disease in 2021 look for the MMCD Technical Advisory Board report coming in February 2022. MMCD employees controlled immature black flies (biting gnats) in small steams and large rivers throughout the metropolitan area. In 2021, 110 black fly larvicide treatments were made to the rivers and streams in the District. In the spring, river flows were slightly above or near normal levels allowing for treatments to be made but the persistent summer drought conditions in the region made for very low river levels which stopped most black fly larval production for rest of the season. In May, high adult black fly populations of a small stream species occurred resulting in increased customer calls from certain areas of the District. With COVID restrictions loosened for certain public events we were able to return to some in -person activities like the Minnesota State Fair, which helped with our educational offerings. We also created more online resources including a new Residents Guide webpage and video to help people reduce mosquitoes where they live. If you have any questions, or would like to meet to discuss our agency's activities, please contact me. Sincerely, Stephen A. Manweiler, Executive Director Phone: (651) 643-8365 // Email: mmcd sam(mmcd.org