Dangerous 'Yellow Fever' Mosquito Larvae Found in San Mateo County

By Bay City News Service: 

San Mateo County health officials have announced that the latest detection of yellow fever mosquito was found in Menlo Park last week.

Larvae for the mosquitoes, also known by their scientific name Aedes aegypti, was found in Menlo Park on Thursday, according to the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District.

This year there have been 13 detections of yellow fever mosquitoes in the area of Holy Cross Cemetery, including the first larvae found on Jan. 22.

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes can carry several viruses including yellow fever, dengue and chikungunya. They are not native to California and common in urban areas of the southeastern portion of the country.

The yellow fever mosquitoes are black and white and about a quarter-of-an-inch in size.

"Our goal is to eradicate this mosquito population," Robert Gay, a mosquito and vector control district manager, said in a statement. "We are doing everything to help ensure this mosquito does not become established in our communities."    

The district has expanded its surveillance area for yellow fever mosquito. Staff members are deploying various traps for mosquitoes and mosquito eggs in the areas where the Aedes aegypti have been detected, district officials said.

District staff also conduct door-to-door inspections and look for standing containers of water at homes. Residents are advised to dispose any standing water outside of their home where mosquitoes tend to lay their eggs.

In 1979, district staff were able to eradicate yellow fever mosquito found near the San Francisco International Airport.

Last year, 14 larvae and three adult yellow fever mosquitoes were found around Holy Cross Cemetery between August and October, according to district officials.


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