Politics & Government
San Mateo County Agencies Spread the Word About Yellow Fever Mosquitos
An event Nov. 2 will include the distribution of materials educating residents on how they can help eradicate the Aedes aegypti or yellow fever mosquito population.
By Bay City News Service
Three agencies plan to join forces early next month to launch a neighborhood response to eliminate any existence of the yellow fever mosquito.
The San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District, along with the Menlo Park Fire Protection District and the San Mateo County Health System, will kick off a four-hour event on Nov. 2 that will include the distribution of materials educating Menlo Park residents on how they can help eradicate the Aedes aegypti or yellow fever mosquito population.
The mosquito, which can transmit yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya and other harmful viruses that cause encephalitis, was first detected in San Mateo County in the form of eggs in August.
While no illnesses have been associated with the yellow fever mosquito in the state, officials are on heightened alert and are taking measures to prevent it, according to the San Mateo County Health System.
On Aug. 23, an egg was collected at the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Menlo Park, according to the county. The Mosquito and Vector Control District reared the egg to an adult at its laboratory.
The district has since detected egg, larvae and adult forms of the mosquitoes in Menlo Park, suggesting that the invasive mosquito is attempting to establish itself in the area, according to Robert Gay, a mosquito and vector control district manager.
By eliminating all breeding areas around homes and in neighborhoods, Gay said that residents can aid officials in preventing the mosquito from making Menlo Park its home.
The event will begin at the Menlo Park Fire Protection District's Fire Station 4 at 3322 Alameda de las Pulgas in Menlo Park at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 2. Volunteers will then proceed to assigned areas of the city to spread the word.
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Also on Patch:
Menlo Park Launches Fight Against Yellow Fever Mosquito
Battle Continues Against Yellow Fever Mosquito in County
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