Killer Mosquitoes Coming to America

New threats are moving into our communities. Mosquitoes are now bringing diseases more dangerous than West Nile Virus! There are three invasive mosquitoes that are making residents and health officials worried: Asian Tiger Mosquito, Yellow Fever Mosquito, and Australian Backyard Mosquito

KCAL 9 News and Nick Federoff Episode

3 New Aedes Mosquitoes

Yellow Fever Mosquito - Aedes aegypti

Confirmed in: 
​Commerce, East Los Angeles, Huntington Park, La Mirada,  Maywood, Montebello, Pico Rivera, South Gate

Asian Tiger Mosquito - Aedes albopictus

Confirmed in:
Atwater Village, Bassett, Avocado Heights, Elysian Valley, La Cañada Flintridge, Pallisier Village, Pico Rivera, Silver Lake, South El Monte, Whittier

Australian Backyard Mosquito - Aedes notoscriptus

Confirmed in:
Montebello

​How They Are Threats:

​1. Disease carriers — The Asian tiger mosquito and yellow fever mosquito have the potential to transmit debilitating viruses such as dengue, yellow fever, zika virus and the painful chikungunya virus. These diseases have not been have not been transmitted locally. However, if a person with the virus spends time in an area where these mosquitoes are found, there is an increased chance of an outbreak occurring in Los Angeles County. Currently, many cities across the country are reporting many chikungunya cases from travelers coming back to the U.S. from Mexico, the Caribbean, and Latin America. The Australian backyard mosquito is a concern for the veterinary community since it can transmit canine heartworm.

2. They can bite during the day -- These bloodsuckers can ruin a family get-together or a warm day at a park. Normally, we expect mosquitoes to bite from dusk to dawn – not so with these invasive mosquitoes.
​
3. They can lay eggs in small containers and thrive indoors — Do you have an old tire in your yard? Or maybe some plant cuttings in a bucket of water in your kitchen? These mosquitoes can lay their eggs in stagnant water sources as small as a bottle cap! There have been reports in Los Angeles County of these mosquitoes biting people inside offices and homes.

Photos From Our Film Shoot
This Episode will air on KLCS-TV 58 on September 21, 2015 at 9AM.  Stay tuned!

​How to Find Them Around the Yard and Inside Your Home or Office

These mosquitoes can live and complete their life cycle either indoors or outdoors. Eggs are laid along the waterline of any water-holding container such as flower vases, plant saucers, buckets, used tires, and even plants that hold water like bamboo or bromeliads. Eggs can remain alive for years, and hatch into larvae when conditions are right.

Look for:

1. small, black mosquitoes with white stripes
2. mosquitoes active and biting during the day — even indoors!
3. immature mosquitoes (larvae and pupae) swimming in stagnant water.

How to Stay Mosquito-Free

• Report black-and-white, daytime-biting mosquitoes to 562-944-9656 or www.ReportMosquitoes.org. This FREE service includes inspection and treatment.
• Remove or drill holes in the bottom of all plant pots, saucers, barrels, bins, and old tires.
• Do not keep water in buckets or root plant cuttings in water. Sharing plant cuttings can spread mosquito eggs.
• Cover trashcans, toys and recycle bins, and keep unneeded items out of the rain.
• Ensure rain barrels are properly sealed. Thousands of eggs can be laid inside rain barrels.
• Wear insect repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, IR 3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

Symptoms of these diseases

Dengue Fever

This is also known as “Breakbone Fever.” Many people who’ve experienced dengue describe the pain so excruciating, it feels like their bones were breaking.

Watch for:

• Severe headache / eye pain
• Severe muscle / joint pain
• High fever

Yellow fever

Watch for:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever
• Can progress to jaundice, internal bleeding and shock

Chikungunya

Chikungunya (Chik-un-GOON-ya), in its native language, means “that which bends up.” Many people who experienced chikungunya described how their bodies contorted due to the pain.

Watch for:

• Debilitating joint / muscle pain (can last for many months)
• Fever

Zika Virus

According to the CDC, there have been reports of a correlation between microcephaly and zika virus, which explains the advisories for women who are pregnant or will be pregnant to avoid mosquito bites. Get the latest information from CDC.

Watch for:

• Fever
• Rash
• Joint Pain
• Red eyes

This information was given by the LA County Vector Control District.