The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) and the University of British Columbia (UBC) Department of Zoology are collecting and testing mosquitoes on the North Shore this summer, in partnership with the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), District of North Vancouver, District of West Vancouver, and City of North Vancouver. The goal is to learn more about mosquitoes in the area, thanks to funding support from the UBC Faculty of Medicine and the Lions Gate Hospital (LGH) Foundation.
“We’re excited to bring mosquito surveillance to a more densely populated area of coastal BC, and collaborate with Vancouver Coastal Health, UBC Department of Zoology, First Nations and municipal partners to learn more about mosquito species and the pathogens they can carry on the North Shore of Vancouver,” said Dr. Anya F. Smith, principal investigator and senior scientist with Public Health Response at BCCDC.
“Our surveillance work on the North Shore will help us to assess risk and provide timely public health advice. As we head into mosquito season, we encourage people to enjoy outdoor activities while taking preventive measures against mosquito bites,” said Dr. Alex Choi, Medical Health Officer for the North Shore with Vancouver Coastal Health.
Climate change may be influencing how often people in BC come into contact with mosquitoes and mosquito-borne infections. When there are more warmer days in a region, more mosquitoes can complete their life cycle and the overall mosquito population can grow. In turn, having more mosquitoes around may lead to a greater chance of getting bitten.
“These warmer days also allow areas that were previously too cold to support the life cycle of mosquitoes to become potential new habitat for invasive and endemic species,” said BCCDC vector specialist Stefan Iwasawa, who’s leading field work for the project.
The North Shore project expands on last year’s pilot project and takes a similar approach. Mosquito traps will be set out at several sites throughout the area, samples will be collected, brought to the UBC Department of Zoology for mosquito species identification, then tested for CSGvs and West Nile virus (WNv) at the BCCDC Public Health Laboratory. Ultimately, project partners hope to get a better picture of the mosquito species present in the region and viruses they carry to better assess public health risks and inform prevention messaging.
Stefan Iwasawa shows one of the mosquito traps used in the surveillance project
- BCCDC, VCH and UBC Department of Zoology, in partnership with the Squamish Nation, Tsleil-Waututh Nation, District of North Vancouver, District of West Vancouver, and City of North Vancouver are expanding mosquito surveillance to Vancouver’s North Shore this summer, thanks to funding from UBC Faculty of Medicine and the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation.
- Working with a Master’s of Public Health student, the team will be trapping and testing mosquitoes on the North Shore from June to August 2026. People who live or spend time in the area may notice traps placed in parks, beaches, trails, and public spaces across the North Shore, and are requested to leave the traps undisturbed.
- Mosquitoes that are collected will be identified at the UBC Department of Zoology laboratory. Once mosquito species have been identified, they will be tested for mosquito-borne viruses at the BCCDC Public Health Laboratory.
- BCCDC, VCH and UBC aim to share research results in 2027.
People in BC should continue to enjoy the outdoors, while also taking steps to protect themselves and their loved ones. There are a few prevention measures you can take:
- Wear protective clothing, especially outside in the early evening and at dawn.
- Put on long-sleeve shirts or jackets and long pants that mosquitoes cannot bite through and tuck your pants into socks for extra protection.
- Avoid dark coloured clothing as it can attract mosquitoes.
- Use mosquito repellent. Putting on insect repellents that are federally registered, like those containing DEET or icaridin, is an effective way to protect yourself from mosquito bites.
- Check Health Canada for the most up to date recommendations.
- Be especially mindful of mosquitoes from dusk to dawn, when they are most active.
- Clean up anything on your property or outside your home that can hold stagnant water to prevent mosquitoes from breeding (flowerpots, rain gutters, tarps, tires etc.)
- Change the water in birdbaths twice a week, install a fountain in ornamental ponds or stock them with fish, regularly maintain swimming pools to make sure they have a working pump, and remove water that collects on pool covers.
- Check windows and door screens for holes and make sure they fit snugly into frames so mosquitoes cannot get in.
- CSGvs are mosquito-borne pathogens that can cause infections in people. Typically these infections are either asymptomatic or cause mild flu-like illness. In rare cases, they can cause encephalitis or meningitis in humans.
- The serogroup includes 18 viruses, with Snowshoe Hare and Jamestown Canyon being the most commonly found in Canada.
- In 2024, a small cluster of pediatric CSG viral encephalitis cases were reported in the Sea-to-Sky corridor, bringing renewed attention to these types of viruses.
- Between 2009 and 2024, there were 15 known detections of CSGv in BC.
- The risk of developing serious illness from CSGvs is still considered to be low in BC.
- CSGvs were added to the list of reportable conditions in BC, as of May 15, 2026.
The BC Centre for Disease Control, a part of the Provincial Health Services Authority, provides public health leadership through surveillance, detection, treatment, prevention and consultation services. The Centre provides diagnostic and treatment services for people with diseases of public health importance, and analytical and policy support to all levels of government and health authorities. The BCCDC also provides health promotion and prevention services to reduce the burden of chronic disease, preventable injury and environmental health risks. For more, visit bccdc.ca or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
Vancouver Coastal Health is committed to delivering exceptional care to 1.25 million people, including the First Nations, Métis and Inuit, within the traditional territories of the Heiltsuk, Kitasoo-Xai’xais, Lil’wat, Musqueam, N’Quatqua, Nuxalk, Samahquam, shíshálh, Skatin, Squamish, Tla’amin, Tsleil-Waututh, Wuikinuxv, and Xa’xtsa. Learn more at vch.ca.
The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top public universities in the world. Since 1915, UBC’s entrepreneurial spirit has embraced innovation and challenged the status quo. UBC encourages its students, staff and faculty to challenge convention, lead discovery and explore new ways of learning. At UBC, bold thinking is given a place to develop into ideas that can change the world.
Lions Gate Hospital Foundation is a registered charity (Registration #11902 0907 RR0001) dedicated to enhancing patient care at Lions Gate Hospital and supporting health care initiatives across the North Shore. As well as funding new medical equipment, facilities, and staff education, the Foundation supports medical research that enhances patient care and community health. Learn more at: www.lghfoundation.com.
The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) provides specialized health care services and programs to communities across British Columbia, the territories of many distinct First Nations. We are grateful to all the First Nations who have cared for and nurtured this land for all time, including the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), and səlil̓w̓ətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations on whose unceded and ancestral territory our head office is located. We work in partnership with other B.C. health authorities and the provincial government to deliver province-wide solutions that improve the health of British Columbians. For more information, visit www.phsa.ca or follow us @phsa.bc. -30-
Joshua Grant
Communications Specialist
BC Centre for Disease Control
Provincial Health Services Authority
604-612-9810
PHSA Media line: 778-867-7472
Public Affairs
Vancouver Coastal Health
Alex Walls
Media Relations Specialist
University of British Columbia
