Pulling Together

The recent cases of malaria in San Diego, and the fogging being done in south, central and North County, are testimony to the need to control public health risks in our county. I would like to commend my colleagues and the city council members of the 18 incorporated cities within the county for their speed in approving the establishment of a vector-control district. (“War Against Mosquitoes Comes With Sting of Fee,” Aug. 10.)

It took only two months from the time the Board of Supervisors assumed the powers of the district until it was adopted by all 18 municipalities in the county. City councils, numerous informed citizens, civic and professional organizations and institutions of higher learning collectively worked to establish a valuable preventive health program for the benefit of all the residents of this region.

A combination of growth and budget restraints had made it increasingly difficult to control species that carry and spread dangerous diseases to man including malaria, brain fever, plague and Lyme disease. With the added resources from a regionwide vector-control district, the Department of Health Services can now actively and aggressively maintain surveillance and safer control measures to prevent dangerous increases in rat, mosquito, tick and fly populations, which carry these diseases.

The action taken by the County Board of Supervisors and all of the county’s cities in approving this district was clearly done for the public good and has shown that, when issues are compelling, elected officials can act quickly, cooperatively and in concert with their constituents.

BRIAN P. BILBRAY

Supervisor, 1st District