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Invasive 'yellow fever' mosquito newly found in Castro Valley
SFGATE • • health
Key Points:
- The invasive yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) has been detected for the first time in Castro Valley, raising concerns due to its ability to transmit diseases like dengue, Zika, and yellow fever.
- The Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District found multiple Aedes aegypti mosquitoes on July 20 and is applying insecticide to control larvae in the affected area.
- Humid weather from monsoonal moisture and tropical storm remnants created ideal conditions for the mosquito, which thrives in hot, humid climates and is usually found in Southern and Central California.
- Officials are monitoring the Bay Area closely amid the development of El Niño, which could increase hot, humid weather and accelerate mosquito reproduction and biting frequency.
- In addition to Aedes aegypti, native mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus are rising in numbers, with hot weather shortening the virus incubation period in mosquitoes and increasing the risk of human infection.
