Aedes Aegypti Mosquito Found In Moorpark, Ventura County

Press release from the City of Moorpark:

October 20, 2020

The City of Moorpark Vector Control Division (Division) has detected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes within the City of Moorpark. The first detection was on October 13, 2020 at a residence in downtown Moorpark within a few blocks of Moorpark Avenue. This Division is working with the Ventura County Environmental Health Division and the California Department of Public Health to evaluate the extent of the infestation and will aggressively target problem areas to prevent its spread.

Aedes aegypti is not native to Ventura County. It is a small, aggressive day-biting mosquito that is now widespread in many California communities. While native mosquitoes typically bite at sundown or night, Aedes aegypti is most active during daylight, for approximately two hours after sunrise and several hours before sunset. This mosquito is capable of transmitting several viruses, including dengue, Chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika. While these viruses are not currently transmitted in California, the importance of avoiding mosquito bites remains the same, just as they are with native species that carry West Nile virus.

This Division has expanded surveillance activities by deploying traps for adult mosquitoes and mosquito eggs surrounding the location where Aedes aegypti was found. Additionally, staff are conducting door-to-door inspections of properties for mosquito breeding and standing water at homes near the detection site.

The public can play a critical role in helping to control the spread of this mosquito population. Aedes aegypti lays its eggs just above the water line in small containers and vessels that hold water, such as dishes under potted plants, bird baths, ornamental fountains, tin cans, children’s toys, or discarded tires. It’s important for residents to look around their yard and outside their home and dump out even the smallest amount of standing water. Clean and scrub bird baths and pet watering dishes weekly and dump water from overflow dishes under potted plants.

Residents can reduce the chances of being bitten by Aedes aegypti or other mosquitoes

by taking the following precautions: Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens; when outdoors, wear protective clothing such as long sleeve shirts, long pants, socks, and shoes when mosquitoes are most active and apply an EPA approved insect repellent, https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents. If water is stored in rain barrels or other containers, cover all openings with tight fitting lids or 1/16-inch fine mesh screen.

Residents within the City of Moorpark experiencing mosquito bites during the day should report them immediately to the Moorpark Vector Control Division at (805)517-6267. Mosquito control staff will check that area for Aedes aegypti and take steps to control the mosquito. If you are sick with fever, headache, and joint or muscle pain after returning from an area where dengue, Chikungunya, or Zika occurs, contact your doctor and stay indoors as much as possible to avoid mosquito bites and help prevent possible spread of the virus.

Additional information on Aedes aegypti can be found at:

• https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Aedes-aegypti-and-Aedes-albopictus-mosquitoes.aspx

This press release was produced by the City of Moorpark. The views expressed here are the author’s own.