Disease

California On Alert For Yellow Fever Carrying Mosquitoes

Californians have been warned to be on lookout for yellow fever-carrying mosquitoes, which are most commonly found in hot tropics of the world, as well as southeastern states of the US.

Aedes aegypti, a type of mosquito that carries the disease, was first found in June in the city of Madera, California. The mosquito bites during the day and are capable of reproducing simply by laying eggs in less than a teaspoon of water.

Despite eradication efforts to warn people of standing water that can allow these insects to lay its eggs, more mosquitoes were soon discovered in Clovis, Fowler, as well as San Mateo County in August. This week, the pest was found in Fresno.

Yellow fever-carrying mosquitoes are also capable of harboring dengue fever; both diseases are viral that can be fatal if not treated appropriately. Yellow fever causes severe flu-like symptoms, at times jaundice as well. Dengue fever causes headaches, body pains, and a rash similar to what patients get when diagnosed with measles.