Dangerous mosquito found in California
October 21, 2013
A mosquito from Africa that can carry dengue and yellow fever has been found in California prompting increased eradication efforts. [LATimes]
Agencies monitoring traps have found yellow fever mosquitoes in the Central Valley and in the Bay Area. However, no one appears to have been bitten and infected with either dengue or yellow fever in California.
Symptoms of yellow fever include chills, nausea, headache and a prominent backache. Dengue fever comes with head and muscle aches and a rash similar to measles. Both viruses can be deadly.
The yellow fever mosquito is black with white spots. It prefers human blood over that of animals and is known to feed during the daytime.
The insect can lay eggs in less than a teaspoon of water. After the eggs dry out, they can still be rehydrated and hatch for more than a year.
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