Mosquito that can carry Zika virus found near south Sacramento park, local officials say
The mosquito that can carry the Zika virus, dengue fever and other serious illnesses has been detected near Camelia Park in south Sacramento, according to a Tuesday notice from the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District.
District officials said a single female aedes aegypti mosquito had been caught in a trap near the park, which is located near the intersection of Elder Creek and Power Inn roads.
“Finding these mosquitoes in a completely new area likely means they could possibly be established anywhere,” said Gary Goodman, the manager for the Sacramento district. “We will continue to work diligently looking for and identifying locations where these mosquitoes could be breeding.”
The discovery prompted Goodman to have more traps set in the area, according to the control district, and more of the mosquitoes were found. Unlike most other mosquito genuses, the aedes aegypti is particularly aggressive during daylight hours.
District officials said they will continue to set additional traps in other areas to determine the extent of the infestation, and they will deploy field technicians to do inspections houses by house, advising residents on how to eliminate potential breeding areas.
The aedes aegypti does not need much water to reproduce, officials said, because they lay their eggs just above water. They can reproduce in containers as small as flower pots, pet dishes, bird baths, tin cans, tires and even bottle caps.
“Mosquito control is a collaborative effort,” Goodman said. “We need the support from all residents to drain all sources of stagnant water and ensure they are not breeding mosquitoes around their home.”
The aedes aegypti can carry not only Zika and dengue but also yellow fever and chikungunya.
If pregnant women are infected with Zika virus, their fetuses can develop a birth defect known as microcephaly, or a small head, and there’s also a risk of premature birth or miscarriage. Not everyone who gets Zika virus will get symptoms, and the disease can remain active in semen long after men have recovered from the disease.
Both dengue fever and chikungunya are quite serious illnesses. While chikungunya is not fatal, it causes very severe bone and joint pain that can last months to years.
If you notice day-biting mosquitoes, report them immediately at (800) 429-1022 or request service at www.FIGHTtheBITE.net.
This story was originally published October 12, 2021 at 1:00 PM.
