Mosquito known to carry yellow fever found in Merced County

FRESNO, California (KFSN) – A mosquito known to have yellow fever has been found in Merced County.

The Merced County Mosquito Reduction District says that Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were found in the Le Grand area.

They added that this is the third time the mosquito has been found in Merced County since 2017.

The district says they are investigating the matter and will take steps to prevent the spread, such as inspecting houses in the area.

“This is the first detection of Aedes aegypti in Le Grand and the third city in Merced County that is home to the invasive mosquito Aedes. Having Aedes aegypti in our district is very worrying, as it is an efficient vector for spreading Zika, the Dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever virus, “said Rhiannon Jones, General Manager of the Merced County Mosquito Reduction District.

The district added that residents can reduce the risk of being bitten by the mosquito by draining standing water, using certain repellents, and avoiding swimming pools in poor condition.