The San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District’s mosquito surveillance system has detected the invasive yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) again, for the third consecutive year, in the Brookside area of Stockton.
“This is the earliest find of the yellow fever mosquito in the last three years for San Joaquin County,” said Aaron Devencenzi, Public Information Officer of the District. “The public can help prevent the spread of these invasive mosquitoes by calling in daytime biting mosquitoes to the District.”
The District will continue surveillance efforts by placing traps used to collect adult mosquitoes and mosquito eggs. Additional measures may include the District’s staff conducting door-to-door inspections of the residential area near the recent Aedes aegypti detection.
Aedes aegypti is a small (about one-quarter inch) black and white mosquito that bites aggressively during the day and is not native to California. However, per the California Department of Public Health’s Vector-Borne Disease Section, Aedes aegypti have been found in 22 counties from 2011 to 2021. Aedes aegypti can transmit several viruses, including dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever. Currently, there is no evidence that this mosquito species has transmitted these viruses in California.
The public’s help is crucial in controlling the spread of this mosquito population. Aedes aegypti lays its eggs just above the water line in small containers and vessels that hold water, such as dishes under potted plants, birdbaths, ornamental fountains, tin cans, or discarded tires. Residents should inspect their yard and outside their homes and dump out even the smallest amount of standing water. Be sure to clean and scrub bird baths and pet watering dishes weekly and dump the water from overflow dishes under potted plants. Also, remove any unnecessary containers and trash around properties.
Residents experiencing mosquito bites during the day should report them immediately to San Joaquin County Mosquito & Vector Control District at (209) 982-4675, 1-800-300-4675 or www.sjmosquito.org
Additional information can be found at San Joaquin County Mosquito & Vector Control District’s website, www.sjmosquito.org or California Department of Public Health: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Aedes-aegypti-and-Aedes-albopictus-mosquitoes.aspx
