Yellow Fever Mosquito Confirmed in South OC

The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District is urging residents to report small black and white, day-biting mosquitoes after they were discovered Tuesday in South Orange County.

Known as yellow fever mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti), they can transmit dengue fever, chikungunya, and yellow fever.

The mosquitos have been confirmed in Mission Viejo.

“We immediately mobilized District personnel upon the discovery of yellow fever mosquitoes at a Mission Viejo residence,” said Robert Cummings, Director of Technical Services. “For several years OCMVCD has expanded surveillance efforts for this type of mosquito. We are conducting neighborhood inspections of properties for mosquito breeding and standing water in the surrounding area. We are also informing nearby residents about the discovery of this invasive species and to report additional sightings and mosquito bites.”

The yellow fever mosquito can be identified by its bright silver lyre-shaped marks and legs with white bands. They can live indoor and out, and primarily bite humans.

They can lay their eggs in containers holding very little water, and their eggs can survive dry conditions for six months or more.

Health officials also warned residents today to take extra precautions against mosquito bites.

“While the risk is still low in California, infected travelers coming back to California can transmit these viruses to mosquitoes that bite them,” state public health officer Dr. Karen Smith said. “This can lead to additional people becoming infected if they are then bitten by those mosquitoes.”

State health officials said the mosquito species Aedes albopictus was detected in September in San Diego and Kern counties, and it has expanded in parts of Orange and Los Angeles County.

That species was first detected in California in 2013, and was then spotted in 10 counties, including Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego.

The species is not native to California. They are known for their black- and-white stripes, biting during the middle of the day and readily entering buildings. Typical mosquitoes generally bite primarily at dusk and dawn, health officials said.

“There is no vaccine or treatment for chikungunya or dengue fever,” Smith said. “To prevent these diseases from becoming established in California, it is important for everyone to take steps to keep these mosquitoes from spreading.”

Residents who spot the mosquitoes should call (714) 971-2421 or (949) 654-2421.

Residents were advised to use mosquito repellents containing DEET, picardin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus; wear long-sleeve shirts, long pants, socks and shoes when mosquitoes are most active; ensure home windows and door screens are intact to keep mosquitoes out; and eliminate breeding sources, such as water-filled containers and water that collects at the bottom of potted plants, in bird baths and discarded tires.

City News Service contributed ti this report; Photo: Wikimedia Commons