× The federal government has shut down due to the failures of the President and Congress to continue government funding. Millions of Californians receiving benefits from state programs may be impacted. For now, California’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will continue to provide services and enroll eligible families as long as funding is available. No new federal funding to California WIC will be provided until the President and Congress take action. Families should continue to use their WIC benefits and attend their WIC appointments. This information is subject to change, so please monitor the California WIC website for updates.

Please be wary of potential highly partisan political messaging while visiting federal government websites for information related to the federal government shutdown.

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Mosquitoes and Mosquito-Borne Diseases

Blood-fed MosquitoMosquitoes are small, flying insects that are common throughout California. Mosquitoes bite and feed on the blood of animals and humans. After feeding on blood, a female mosquito will lay eggs on or near water. The young stages of a mosquito grow in standing water. There are more than 50 kinds of mosquitoes in California – not all are a threat to humans, but several kinds bite and attack humans, and some can spread diseases (such as West Nile virus) when they bite. 

The best way to prevent diseases that are spread by mosquitoes i​s to protect yourself from mosquito bites: use mosquito repellent on clothes and exposed skin when going outdoors (especially at dawn and dusk), and wear long sleeves and pants for extra protection. You can also keep biting mosquitoes from breeding near your home by draining standing water around your yard. 

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