Aedes albopictus mosquito (Photo – James Gathany, CDC).
The Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) announced today that eggs from the Aedes albopictus mosquito, that can infect humans with viruses such as Zika, dengue and chikungunya, have been found in monitoring traps in Pasadena.
Health Officials emphasized there are no reported cases of locally transmitted Zika, or the other two viruses, by this type of mosquito in Pasadena.
PPHD Health Officer Dr. Ying-Ying Goh said:
It is important for the public to be aware of the presence of this mosquito, which is different than the local variety of the insect, and to take steps now to help protect yourself and your family against these mosquitoes. We are asking for the public’s help to take immediate action now in preventing the spread of this mosquito, such as eliminating all standing water sources on their property.
Egg traps
More than a dozen mosquito egg traps have been placed throughout Pasadena by the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District (SGVMVCD). Four traps tested positive for eggs indicating that the Aedes albopictus mosquitoes (commonly known as the Asian tiger mosquito) are now in Pasadena.
Positive identification was confirmed on June 21, 2017, marking the first time that the small, daytime-biting mosquito has been detected in Pasadena. The SGVMVCD will routinely test mosquito samples found in Pasadena and throughout the District for those viruses.
What’s being done?
- Health and vector control officials plan to increase surveillance and initiate localized treatment where breeding is occurring.
- Clearly identified vector control officials also will be going door-to-door to help educate the public and take appropriate action. Currently, no widespread spraying is required.
- Since the beginning of this year, PPHD has been working with SGVMVCD to annex the City into the District’s service area for mosquito and vector control services. Full merger should begin in 2018. In the interim, the City and SGVMVCD in late June signed a memorandum of understanding authorizing SGVMCD to conduct Aedes mosquito surveillance, investigation, control and abatement, and public outreach about protection and prevention in Pasadena.
“Our best defense is education and prevention,” PPHD Director Michael Johnson said. “Direct application of a treatment can occur where active breeding is happening, but people really need to be proactive to eliminate even the smallest amount of standing water to prevent possible breeding.”
Aedes mosquito larvae can successfully mature to become adult mosquitoes in containers with as little as a bottle cap full of water, which is why PPHD is urging everybody to have increased vigilance in eliminating all sources of mosquito breeding environments on their properties, Dr. Goh said.
How can you help?
- Report possible sightings by contacting the SGVMVCD at (626) 814-9466, or online at www.sgvmosquito.org.
- Empty, scrub clean with hot water, turn over, cover–or throw out–unused outdoor items that hold water, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths or flowerpots.
- Keep swimming pool water clean, sanitized and filtered. Same with ponds or birdbaths.
- Wear insect repellents containing DEET when outdoors.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors if weather permits.
- Check window and door screens for holes, repair or replace.
- When traveling, choose lodging that has air conditioning and screens.
Since 2016, there has been only one travel-associated case of laboratory-confirmed Zika virus infection in the City of Pasadena, and no cases of locally-acquired Zika reported to PPHD. As of June 30, 2017, there have been 573 such travel-associated Zika virus infections throughout all of California, but no cases of locally-acquired Zika anywhere in the state. There also have been no West Nile Virus infections in Pasadena reported to PPHD so far in 2017.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that pregnant women (or women considering getting pregnant) should avoid travel to areas with ongoing Zika virus transmission, including Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly Mexico and Puerto Rico.
Source: City of Pasadena
[This article was updated to reflect the correct title spelling – July 03, 2017 6:20 p.m.]
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