Yellow fever mosquito in California

Yellow fever mosquito detected in California; could ‘change the way we live’ in Golden State

National Monitor,

20 October, 2013

One of the best ways to guard against the yellow fever mosquito is to eliminate standing water from water-holding containers.

The yellow fever mosquito, known as Aedes aegypti, has been spotted in California, according to an AP report. The mosquitoes, capable of carrying diseases like yellow and dengue fever and chikungunya, were last detected in the city of Fresno.

There’s some concern that if officials can’t control the population of yellow fever mosquitoes, the consequences for residents of the Golden State could be severe.

“If it gets away it will change the way we live in California. You may not be able to sit on your patio and enjoy a cup of coffee during the day without getting bit,” Tim Phillips of the Fresno Mosquito and Vector Control District told The AP.

The University of Florida reports that Aedes aegypti was likely brought to the new world by ships used for exploration and colonization.

According to Fresno County, no illnesses associated with Aedes aegypti have been reported to county health officials so far.

Although Aedes aegypti  is active at night, the mosquito is most active during the day and frequently bites indoors.

According to the SF Chronicle, the chance of getting yellow fever or another disease from a mosquito bite is small because the disease isn’t common in California, but the expansion of an Aedes aegypti population in the state would give the virus an easier path for transmission to humans.

One of the best ways to guard against the yellow fever mosquito is to eliminate standing water from water-holding containers, as eggs are typically deposited on surfaces where standing water accumulates.

What’s your favorite way to protect yourself against mosquito bites? What should California officials do to prevent the yellow fever mosquito populations from exploding? Start a conversation by sharing your thoughts in the comments section.