An invasive insect dubbed the yellow fever mosquito has been discovered for the first time in Castro Valley. The mosquito, scientific name Aedes aegypti, has been increasingly found across new areas of California since it first arrived in 2013. Its spread is worrying experts as it’s capable of transmitting dangerous diseases including dengue, Zika and yellow fever.
Multiple Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were discovered in traps in Castro Valley on July 20, according to the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District. Officials are now using an insecticide to kill mosquito larvae in the area where the insects were found.
Erika Castillo, the regulatory and public affairs director for the abatement district, said recent humid weather thanks to both monsoonal moisture and tropical storm remnants led to ideal conditions for the Aedes aegypti, which is native to Africa…