Invasive Mosquitoes Detected in Fourth Location in San Jose
Press Release 11/14/2024
Invasive Mosquitoes Detected in Fourth Location in San Jose
The County of Santa Clara Vector Control District has now detected the invasive Aedes aegypti mosquito in a total of six locations in Santa Clara County, highlighting the urgent need for ongoing community action
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. — The invasive Aedes aegypti mosquito has been detected in a fourth location in San Jose, continuing to gain ground in Santa Clara County despite aggressive attempts to eliminate it. The invasive species is able to transmit diseases such as Zika and yellow fever.
The day-biting mosquito is now present in a total of six locations in Santa Clara County.
The County of Santa Clara Vector Control District made its latest discovery in an area of San Jose near Cortez Avenue and Orlando Drive. The recent detection came as the district continues its effort to eliminate the day-biting mosquitoes from three other areas of San Jose as well as neighborhoods in the cities of Gilroy and Santa Clara. The County aims to prevent the invasive mosquito from establishing a permanent population.
The Vector Control District, which has conducted extensive outreach to affected residents and businesses in recent months, will hold a community meeting on Monday, Nov. 18, in San Jose to answer questions and discuss the district’s plan to treat the area near Cortez Avenue and Orlando Drive. More information on the meeting is available below.
The new detections underscore the urgent need for the public to help detect and eliminate the day-biting mosquitoes. The County asks businesses and residents to remove any sources of standing water on their properties and clean items like outdoor pet dishes that may contain mosquito eggs, as this is the most effective way for community members to help.
“The threat posed by Aedes aegypti is growing, and we need everyone to pitch in now to prevent this day-biting mosquito from becoming established in Santa Clara County,” said Edgar Nolasco, director of the County of Santa Clara Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency. “In the interest of public health, we need businesses and residents to check their properties for sources of standing water and remove them. And we need the people who live in areas where this invasive mosquito has been found to work together with district staff and allow them to inspect their properties.”
The day-biting mosquito has the potential to transmit diseases that are not endemic to the United States, including dengue, chikungunya, Zika and yellow fever.
The invasive mosquito has now been found in six locations:
- South San José: 44 mosquitoes
- Santa Clara: 172 mosquitoes
- Gilroy: six mosquitoes
- East San José: 151 mosquitoes
- San José (near Oak Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Park): two mosquitoes
- San José (near Cortez Avenue and Orlando Drive): 10 mosquitoes
The Vector Control District has increased its outreach and education this year in response to detections throughout the county, which has led to more vigilance and reporting by members of the community. Mosquito activity is increasing with climate change, and Aedes aegypti has now been detected, though it is not yet established, in four Bay Area counties. More…