The invasive Aedes aegypti mosquitos have been detected in more areas of Santa Clara County, prompting officials to hold meetings to discuss their response to the threat posed by the species.
County officials said Wednesday that the mosquito species, which can transmit diseases that are not endemic to the U.S. including dengue, chikungunya, Zika and yellow fever, were recently observed near Santa Teresa County Park in South San Jose, and the city of Santa Clara.
Aedes aegypti mosquitos were also detected near Oak Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Park in San Jose, East San Jose, and Gilroy. More than 350 of the mosquito species were found in these locations, according to the County of Santa Clara Vector Control District.
Due to the expansion of areas being infested by Aedes aegypti mosquitos, county officials will hold community meetings on Nov. 6 in South San Jose, and on Nov. 12 in Santa Clara to inform residents and answer questions about the plan to eliminate the mosquito species in the county.
“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,” Edgar Nolasco, director of the County of Santa Clara Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency, said in a statement. “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 non-native mosquito has been found to work together with district staff and allow them to inspect their properties.”
County officials said Vector Control District staff are trapping adult mosquitoes, searching properties to find mosquito larvae and habitat, and treating any larvae with pesticide.
Residents in Santa Clara County are encouraged to look around their properties and throw out even the smallest amount of standing water. County officials said that cleaning and scrubbing bird baths, pet dishes and other containers can remove any Aedes aegypti eggs, which are about half a millimeter in size and look to the naked eye like tiny bits of dirt.
“Scrub these items with soap or bleach and then leave them to dry for at least 24 hours. Only rinse these items when ready to use them again,” county officials said.
Residents can report day-biting mosquitoes immediately to the Vector Control District at (408) 918-4770 or vectorinfo@cep.sccgov.org.
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