Invasive mosquito population up 330 percent in Orange County

From ABC7 News
September 19, 2017

The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control district announced a sharp spike in the presence of the invasive Aedes mosquito in Orange County.

The mosquito species Aedes aegypti (yellow fever mosquito) and Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger mosquito) are not native to the county and are capable of transmitting debilitating viruses including Dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever and Zika.

While these viruses are not currently transmitted locally, transmission could begin if someone infected abroad returns to Orange County and is bitten by the invasive mosquito.

Vector control officials are urging residents to take the necessary precautions to reduce mosquito breeding and to avoid bites from these aggressive day-biting mosquitoes.

Two of the neighborhoods hit hardest are in Fullerton and Santa Ana. Warning signs are up in Raul Ramos’ neighborhood and now he knows to take them seriously.

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