By Howard Williams, Veteran MAC Team Member

On the afternoon of October 31, Pestec’s Mosquito Abatement Couriers (MAC) rode our bicycles into the company’s Bayview District headquarters to conclude our eighth season of service to the City of San Francisco. Once again, it was a successful season enhanced by the knowledge that not only was West Nile Virus (WNV) stifled in San Francisco, the deadly disease declined throughout the nation after the record number of deaths last year.

The Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) website stated that as of October 29, there have been 2,059 human cases of WNV which have resulted in 83 deaths (www.cdc.gov/westnile/statsMaps — hereafter “CDC”). While these numbers are still high relative to the years 2008 through 2011, they are a significant improvement over last year when 5,674 cases were reported (the second highest annual total ever) and a record high 286 people died. Not only was 2012 the deadliest year for WNV in America, it marked a sharp resurgence for the disease after years of decline. In 2012 there were more cases and deaths from WNV than in the previous four years combined (CDC). To have helped reverse the course of this mosquito borne disease this year give us an extra respect for our work.

Further examination of CDC West Nile statistics indicates that medical care for the new disease may be improving. Death rates from West Nile are lower now than when the disease reached America’s East Coast at the turn of the millennium. In 2002, WNV killed one out of approximately fourteen of its victims and as recently as 2011 it killed one out of about sixteen patients. However, last year, the disease killed one out of almost 20 victims and the numbers for this year so far show one death out of about 24 cases. Obviously, medical progress is always desirable yet this is especially so for WNV. West Nile is an extremely virulent disease: the death rate (deaths per cases) for WNV in America far exceeds the death rate for malaria worldwide (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaria “Epidemiology; CDC; World Malaria Report 2012, p. xiii, World Health Organization).

Here in San Francisco, the MAC team again contributed to keeping the City free of WNV. Only one resident suffered from the disease this year. Fortunately he recovered and because he worked outdoors outside of the City, he probably was infected elsewhere. Except for one person last year who also recovered, no other San Franciscan has been infected with West Nile Virus since the MAC team began operating in 2006.

We completed our end of the season paperwork and discussed how to improve our work for next year. Eight of this year’s nine MAC riders plan to return next year. This will make the 2014 MAC team the most experienced crew ever. The one member who is retiring is Alain Belkaious. Since starting in 2007, Alain has been the MAC team’s most productive member. His work ethic has set a model aspired to by his co-workers.

After turning in our equipment we all rode over to a pizza place on the other side of the Bayview. On the way, The Artist Presently Known As Chief showed us his contribution to the Malcolm X mural near 3rd Street and Jerrold.

As in previous years, the Old Veteran had mixed feelings about the end of the season but this year even more so. This was because in contrast to previous seasons, he had compromised a generally productive and innovative season with some errors. But after pizza and good conversation with his co-workers, the Old Vet felt better.

That evening Chief hosted a party. We didn’t have to work the next day so it lasted into the early hours. Don’t worry readers, we have all winter to recover so we’ll be ready for next season.

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The 2013 Mosquito Abatement Courier Team season has come to an end. However, you can report mosquito activity directly to the San Francisco Department of Health by calling 311. If you suspect the mosquito activity is coming from your own property you can also schedule an inspection with Pestec to determine the source of the problem. If you would like to arrange an appointment please give us a call at 415-671-0300

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