A mosquito carrying dengue and yellow fever has been discovered in the California Central Valley, leading officials to issue instructions to the public on how to eradicate the pest.
Fresno Mosquito and Vector Control District Member Tim Philips described yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti as a white polka-dotted bug that has the ability to lay its eggs in less than a teaspoon of water, and does its biting work during the day, according to the Los Angeles Times. The pest was first found in the Central California city of Madera in June.
"It could change the way we live in California, if we don't stop it," Phillips reported to the Los Angeles Times. "Imagine not feeling safe to sit out in your backyard in the afternoons."
Pushes to boost public knowledge and action against the pests were implemented Monday - agents from the Control District traveled to local homes, warning people against standing water. But soon after, reports of the mosquito's whereabouts surfaced - the bug was discovered in Clovis, Fowler, then the Bay Area's San Mateo County. Now, officials in Fresno have begun spraying insecticide around some houses in the area.
"We were shocked," Leonard Irby, district manager of Madera's program working to decrease the number of mosquitos, told the LA Times. "We never expected this mosquito in California...This affects all of California. It requires everyone's help: Turn over plant saucers, wash out dog bowls, remember this mosquito can lay eggs even in the cracks of cement if water is left there for a couple of days."
Officials from Southern California stated that there have been no findings of the mosquito, particularly in the Los Angeles area. But due to a recent outbreak of Asian Tiger mosquitos in Southern California, officials are keeping their eyes peeled for any potential threat.
"There is no evidence of aegyupti in Los Angeles," director of operations for the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District Mark Daniel told the LA Times. "But you can never say with 100 percent certainty. Our brother and sister agencies in the Central Valley are being very aggressive and we're on high alert."
None of the captured bugs have carried disease thus far, and the deputy director of the California Department of Public Health's Center for Infectious Disease told the LA Times that the state, although safe for now, should watch out for cases.
"Presently, dengue, yellow fever and chikungunya do not occur within California," Dr. Gilberto Chavez reported. "There is presently no risk of these diseases being acquired locally and traveling within the state."
Symptoms of yellow fever include chills, fever, nausea, headache, and serious backaches. Dengue leads to intense head and muscle aches and a rash that resembles the measles. If neglected, both of these ailments can be fatal.
