The Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District on Friday confirmed the presence of an invasive species of mosquitoes in Discovery Bay in the eastern part of the county.
A resident approached district technicians working in the Discovery Bay area and provided samples of mosquitoes that were eventually found to be the Aedes aegypti species, which are small, aggressive mosquitoes that are not native to California and can transmit dangerous viruses.
District staff will deploy traps throughout the area to determine how widely the mosquitoes have spread. The Aedes aegypti species is active primarily during the daytime and can transmit viruses such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever.
“Aedes aegypti have been spreading throughout California for several years, but early detection can make a significant difference in our ability to respond,” Steve Schutz, the district’s scientific programs manager, said in a news release.
The district encouraged Discovery Bay residents to report daytime-biting mosquitoes, to remove standing water from their properties, and to allow district staff to access locations when inspections are needed.
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are known to lay their eggs in small containers and other objects that hold water, such as bird baths, buckets, toys, containers, untreated spas, and unmaintained swimming pools. Reports and service requests can be made by calling the district at 925-685-9301 or visiting the district’s website.
