United States: Santa Clara County on Thursday reported concerning the spread of an invasive species of mosquito that bites during the daytime and spreads lethal diseases.
The Aedes aegypti is an invasive species that is active in biting during the day and can spread a number of diseases.
To date, the mosquito has been identified in six places within Santa Clara County. Last discovered, the species was in San Jose near Cortez Avenue and Orlando Drive.
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According to Edgar Nolasco, director of the County of Santa Clara Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency, “The threat posed by Aedes aegypti is growing, and we need everyone to pitch in now to prevent this day-biting mosquito from becoming established in Santa Clara County,” mercurynews.com reported.
“In the interest of public health, we need businesses and residents to check their properties for sources of standing water and remove them. And we need the people who live in areas where this invasive mosquito has been found to work together with district staff and allow them to inspect their properties,” Nolasco reported.
The mosquito is approximately ¼ inch in length and is not difficult to identify as it includes black stripes down its back as well as its legs.
Adult wildcats prefer to feed on human beings and have never been seen to fly more than 500 feet away from the nests where they are born.
San Jose Mosquito – The mosquito has infested six areas in San Jose near Oak Hill Funeral Home and Memorial Park near Cortez Avenue and Orlando Drive and the South San Jose, Santa Clara, Gilroy, and East sections of San Jose.
It was detected that while the cause of mosquito activities rose with climate change through warmer temperatures, the officials of the county were equipped with the necessary knowledge of those developments.
Officials said that Aedes aegypti mosquitoes continue to breed in 19 California counties – mostly in the Central Valley and Southern California.
However, the mosquitoes’ presence is claimed in four, but not found, counties of the Bay Area. County officials said that this mosquito is capable of spreading diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, zika, and yellow fever.
In 2024, there were 12 locally acquired dengue cases in Los Angeles County, according to the Department of Public Health.
There is up to thirty-two (32) fluid ounces of water required for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to lay their eggs and these breeders prefer smaller artificial containers just above the water line such as buckets, pet dishes, fountains, bird baths, plant pots, saucers, tires, etc.
The eggs can also live for a year and a half in a dry environment.