S. 5213: Strengthening Mosquito Abatement for Safety and Health 2.0

This bill would reauthorize and update a federal grant program for mosquito abatement and other vector-borne disease control efforts. In plain terms, it would continue federal support for state, local, tribal, and other public health programs that monitor and reduce the spread of diseases carried by mosquitoes and other insects or animals that transmit disease.

What the bill changes

• Extends funding authority: It renews the program’s authorization to provide $100 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

• Adds newer technology as an option: When awarding grants, the Secretary of Health and Human Services may consider the use of innovative and novel mosquito prevention and control technology.

• Expands technical assistance: Federal funds could be used to provide training and technical help for planning, developing, and running disease assessment and control programs. This assistance could be provided directly by the federal government or through grants or contracts with public or private entities.

• Allows limited training spending by grantees: Recipients of grants could spend up to 5% of their award each year on continuing education and training for people carrying out the work, including public health entomologists.

• Addresses emergency stockpiling: The Department of Health and Human Services, through CDC and the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, may prepare the Strategic National Stockpile to hold emergency supplies of nonperishable vector-borne disease control products.

• Requires a preparedness strategy: The department would have to include in its national vector-borne disease strategy a plan for how it will prepare for emergency stockpiling of these products, including coordination with manufacturers so purchases can happen in time during emergencies.

What this means in practice

The bill is mainly about helping governments better detect, prevent, and respond to diseases spread by mosquitoes and similar carriers. It would support local control programs, encourage the use of newer tools, help train public health workers, and set up planning for emergency reserves of disease-control products such as repellents, larvicides, traps, or other nonperishable materials used to control vectors or the diseases they spread.

Relevant Companies

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