History
The Board's mission is to reduce the incidence of disease transmission, economic loss, and medical emergencies caused by pests such as mosquitoes, rodents, and termites. This is achieved through a series of integrated approaches, including surveillance, source reduction, biological control, sanitation, community education, and adult/larval abatement operations.
The need for organized mosquito abatement operations in the City of New Orleans was driven by a habitat uniquely suited to produce overwhelming mosquito populations, disease epidemics, and public outcry. From 1817 to 1905, yellow fever killed over 41,000 New Orleanians, with peak outbreaks in 1853, 1858, 1867, and 1878. During this time, residents of New Orleans evacuated seasonally for fear of contracting this deadly disease rather than hurricanes.
In 1905, following a tremendous effort by scientists to link disease transmission to mosquito vectors, the first area-wide mosquito control program in the City of New Orleans was implemented. These efforts, which focused on eliminating breeding sites, screening and treating cisterns, and public education, proved successful, with no human cases of yellow fever reported in the City following 1905. In the years that followed, public attention shifted from yellow fever to malaria. Formal eradication efforts led by the United States Public Health Services in cooperation with several southern states continued until 1954.
In the mid-1940s and 50s, public outcry over large populations of the salt marsh mosquito prompted then-Mayor deLesseps S. Morrison to form the Metropolitan Mosquito Control Commission (MMCC). In 1957, it became the Louisiana Mosquito Control Association under the direction of Dr. Edward S. Hathaway and Anderson B. Ritter. Their work in the early 1960s demonstrated the success of ditching and impoundment in eliminating standing water and illustrated the possibility of effective local mosquito control efforts.
The Evolution of Mosquito Control in New Orleans
New Orleans' unique habitat, conducive to overwhelming mosquito populations, disease epidemics, and public outcry, necessitated organized mosquito abatement operations.
19th Century: The Yellow Fever Era From 1817 to 1905, yellow fever claimed over 41,000 New Orleanians, with peak outbreaks in 1853, 1858, 1867, and 1878. During this period, residents regularly evacuated the city to avoid this deadly disease, rather than fleeing hurricanes.
In 1905, after scientists linked disease transmission to mosquito vectors, New Orleans implemented its first area-wide mosquito control program. Focusing on eliminating breeding sites, screening and treating cisterns, and public education, these efforts proved successful. No human cases of yellow fever were reported in the city after 1905.
Early 20th Century: Shifting Focus to Malaria As yellow fever receded, public attention turned to malaria. Formal eradication efforts, led by the United States Public Health Services in cooperation with several southern states, continued until 1954.
Mid-20th Century: Addressing Salt Marsh Mosquitoes In the 1940s and 50s, public outcry over large salt marsh mosquito populations prompted Mayor deLesseps S. Morrison to establish the Metropolitan Mosquito Control Commission (MMCC). In 1957, it evolved into the Louisiana Mosquito Control Association under Dr. Edward S. Hathaway and Anderson B. Ritter. Their early 1960s work demonstrated the effectiveness of ditching and impoundment in eliminating standing water, showcasing the potential for successful local mosquito control efforts.
Late 20th Century: The New Orleans Mosquito Control Board In May 1964, George T. Carmichael from the Chatham County (Georgia) Mosquito Control Commission became the first director of the City of New Orleans Mosquito Control Board, serving until 1986. The initial years saw widespread efforts to eliminate tires, swales, and other breeding sites.
21st Century: Continued Leadership Edgar S. Bordes Jr. took over as director in 1986, continuing the board's mission to protect New Orleans from mosquito-borne diseases.