Two mosquitoes from Asia are increasing their numbers exponentially in drought stricken California. The Asian Tiger mosquito and the yellow fever mosquito are wreaking havoc in the state and many scientists believe the problem is only going to get worse. Although they arrived several years ago, they never posed much of a threat until now. In 2011, the mosquitoes began to be noticed in large numbers primarily because of their ability to thrive in warmer temperatures. Drought conditions have affected California for so long, the mosquitoes have begun to take up residence much like they did in their original, more tropical climate.
How Did They Get Here?
The mosquitoes arrived in the United States through shipping lines. It is believed that they found their way into the cargo holds and shipping crates of ships and planes that were traveling from Asia to the United States. Once the vessel docked in California and unloaded their cargo, the little stow aways were also sent packing. The warm climate of Southern California was just right in terms of environment and they immediately began to thrive. It was until just recently, however, the drought conditions that have been in place for so long provided the mosquitoes with the ideal habitat for reproduction. They are reproducing at an alarming rate and becoming more aggressive when trying to find food.
What Type of Threat Do They Pose?
The Asian mosquitoes are exactly like their American cousins in that they suck blood from their host, whether they are animal or human makes no difference. They do pose other threats despite being a general nuisance. Asian mosquitoes can carry deadly viruses that are normally not found in this country. Yellow fever and dengue fever are well known in Asia, but are not often reported in the United States. These illnesses can be deadly and require specific treatments and medications that many health care professionals are being forced to learn about in case patients begin to exhibit symptoms.
Another reason the Asian mosquitoes are viewed as a threat is their aggressive behavior. Unlike their American cousins, who seem to not care too much about where they land, the mosquitoes from Asia seem to attack from behind and are able to avoid detection until it is too late. They also attack during the day which allows them several more hours and an increased abundance of targets. They seem to thrive in the warmest temperatures of the day and become more aggressive as the temperatures rise.
Where Have The Mosquitoes Been Found
The Asian mosquitoes have been found in 12 of California's 58 counties. Most of the counties are located in Southern California where the drought conditions have become the most severe. The increasing numbers of the mosquitoes indicate they will more than likely start spreading to other areas rather quickly. It also means an increased risk when it comes to future reports of the diseases they may carry. It is believed that the mosquitoes may stay in the southern most area of the state simply because it is more to what they are used to, but health professionals are encouraging medical facilities to be prepared for the illnesses.
While diseases like yellow and dengue fever are often transmitted through mosquitoes and other insects, they can also be spread through human contact. An outbreak could just as likely occur if someone comes into the United States from Southeast Asia and do not realize they are sick. Although the risk of this can be slight, it is important to remember it is still a possibility. With the Asian mosquitoes being much smaller than normal mosquitoes and exceedingly more aggressive, there is a higher risk of being infected through an insect bite. Several cases of both yellow fever and dengue fever were reported in 2015.
