In California, an invasion of mosquitoes is expected: this species can bite a person many times and carry diseases

Parts of California received nearly a year's worth of rainfall in August. Because of this, a catastrophic invasion of mosquitoes is predicted. Path.

Photo: IStock

Tropical Storm Hillary's record rainfall has spread large numbers of Aedes aegypti, better known as the "ankle biting mosquito". The extent of the mosquito infestation in Golden State will become clear next week.

Prior to Hilary, California had a relatively quiet mosquito and West Nile virus season thanks to an unusually cool spring and early summer. However, last week's storms, combined with humidity and heat across the state, have turned the tide in favor of the little bloodsuckers.

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“Normally at this time of year, county vector control agencies would treat most abandoned swimming pools to control common household mosquitoes that spread West Nile virus. And later in the fall they would turn their attention to Aedes aegypti, said Suzanne Klu, the county's general manager of vector control. “But August rain filled the ponds again, creating ideal conditions for common household mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus.”

“Usually at this time of the season all our springs dry up,” Kluh explained. “This sets us back.” Now we need to go back and deal with the house mosquito, the main carrier of West Nile virus.”

Sly bloodsuckers

So far this year, there have been 55 confirmed human cases of West Nile virus infection in 18 California counties. Statewide, there were also 2797 mosquito samples that tested positive for the disease, which is transmitted from birds and horses to humans through mosquito bites.

As of August 25, two human cases have been confirmed in Los Angeles and Merced counties, eight in Inland Empire and one in Santa Clara County. Orange, San Mateo, Contra Costa, Alameda, Napa, and Sonoma counties have confirmed West Nile virus. Although, no human cases have been reported this year, according to state health officials.

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As vector control officials refocus on the threat of pet mosquitoes and West Nile virus, they are urging residents to do their part to prevent the explosion of the Aedes aegypti population following Tropical Storm Hilary. In addition to the new threat of West Nile virus outbreaks caused by heavy August rains, this is peak season for Aedes aegypti. This invasive species can transmit encephalitis, dengue and Zika. Today, these mosquitoes prefer to bite people rather than animals.

“They're pretty sneaky, these Aedes. They lay their eggs just above the water line, where they can sit for two years until the water rises and the eggs hatch,” said Brian Brannon, public information officer for the Orange County Mosquito Control Agency.

“Aedes really bother people the most because they can bite you five or six times. This is not a native species. They were transported with cargo on a ship and they decided to stay here. House mosquitoes bite at dawn or dusk,” Brannon said.

A week after the rains from Tropical Storm Hilary have passed, the Aedes are preparing to transform into adult mosquitoes.

“A water bottle cap is enough for mosquitoes to breed, so you need to get creative. Remove anything that can hold standing water - tires, children's toys, plastic tarps with dimples on it. Wastewater is often a hidden source of mosquitoes," Brannon said.

There is still time for residents to take steps to protect their homes, loved ones and pets from mosquitoes.

Protection Tips

• Walk around the yard and look for breeding sites, namely anything that can hold 0,6 cm of water. Pour out all standing water and eliminate the source. If you don't remove the source, check weekly for standing water.
• Change bird water weekly.
• Stock ponds with mosquito fish, apply larvicides (insecticides specifically designed to control the larval stage of the insect), or filter the water.
• Clean gutters.
• Rinse pet water bowls weekly.
• Empty the toilet brush holder.
• Flush unused toilets weekly.
• Apply mosquito repellant to clothing and exposed skin.
• When outdoors, wear long sleeves and light, loose clothing.

The ability of Aedes to spread diseases such as dengue and Zika locally remains unknown. So far, cases found in California have been linked to travelers abroad.

“We mostly had imported dengue cases reported by the health department. We have not observed any local transmission of any of these diseases. But we are not sure whether this can happen or not,” Kluh said.

Kluh said vector control officials and health authorities are taking these illnesses linked to new invasive mosquitoes very seriously.

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“We're afraid of it,” she said. “We definitely think this could happen in the future.”

Last year, Maricopa County, Arizona experienced local transmission of dengue when the disease spread from an infected traveler to other family members, Kluh said. The outbreak has somewhat dispelled the theory that the Southwest is too hot and dry for mosquitoes to spread tropical diseases.

When an imported case is detected, vector control authorities across the state take aggressive action to prevent mosquitoes from biting an infected person and transmitting the disease to others. Travelers are urged to monitor for symptoms, wear mosquito repellent and stay indoors when symptomatic.

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