April 16-22 has been declared West Nile Virus and Mosquito Vector Control Awareness week by the California State Legislature. West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne disease that was originally found in Africa. It was first detected in the eastern U.S. in 1999, and has since spread across the country and is well established in most states, including California.
West Nile Virus is spread by mosquitoes that get the virus from infected birds. Once infected, mosquitoes then transfer the virus to humans and other animals. Infected humans can become very ill. The disease usually is most serious in children, people with weakened immune systems, and the elderly.
As weather warms and people spend more time outdoors, it's...
- Author: Karey Windbiel-Rojas
The Zika virus is spread to people mainly through the bite of an infected mosquito, mostly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. People can also get the Zika virus through sexual contact with an infected person, and the virus can also be passed from a pregnant woman to her developing fetus, which can cause a serious birth defect called microcephaly.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is currently no vaccine to prevent the disease or any drugs to treat it. The best way to prevent Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases, including West Nile virus, is to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites. Aedes mosquitoes are considered day biters, so it's important to...
- Author: Karey Windbiel-Rojas
[From the August 2016 issue of the UC IPM Retail Newsletter]
Concerns over the Zika virus have been all over the news lately, so you may be getting questions about mosquito repellents and how customers can protect themselves from mosquitoes.
The Zika virus is spread to people mainly through the bite of an infected mosquito, mostly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. People can also get the Zika virus through sexual contact with an infected person, and the virus can also be passed from a pregnant woman to her developing fetus, which can cause a serious birth defect called...
This week is National Mosquito Control Awareness Week (June 26-July 2nd). The goal of the campaign is to remind people to protect themselves against mosquitoes especially in the summer months.
In the past, information about mosquitoes instructed people to avoid being outside at dusk. However, some of the mosquitoes species that carry the Zika virus are considered “day” biters, so it is important to protect yourself at all times while outdoors. Keep this in mind if you plan to camp, attend a barbecue, or sit by a pool.
Certain mosquitoes can breed in very small amounts of water. Make sure your yard or landscape is not a habitat for mosquitoes by covering or cleaning up an items that can hold...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
From the UCANR Green Blog
UC entomologist Anton Cornel, based at the UC Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, is working with the Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District in Fresno County to battle Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the species that can spread zika, chikungunya, dengue and yellow fever viruses, reported Barbara Anderson in the Fresno Bee.
(While populations of aedes aegypti