E-Newsletter 10-23-2015

October 23, 2015 Y FEVER MOSQUITO DISCOVERED IN SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY ELLOW Orange County health officials are asking the public to report any sightings of black and white, day-biting mosquitoes following their recent discovery last week in a Mission Viejo neighborhood. “We immediately mobilized district personnel upon the discovery of yellow fever mosquitoes at a Mission Viejo residence," said Robert Cummings, Director of Technical Services. "For several years, OCMVCD has expanded surveillance efforts for this type of mosquito. We are conducting neighborhood inspections of properties for mosquito breeding and standing water in the surrounding area. We are also informing nearby residents about the discovery of this invasive species and to report additional sightings and mosquito bites," said Cummings. Commonly known as the “yellow fever mosquito,” the species is identifiable by its bright silver lyre-shaped marking and white-banded legs. They can live indoors or outdoors and female mosquitoes can lay their eggs in containers with as little as a teaspoon of water. UPCOMING EVENTS Oct. 27 Planning Commission Mtg. Oct. 28 Traffic Commission Mtg. Nov. 3 City Council Meeting Nov. 5 Youth Committee Meeting Nov. 9 Parks & Recreation Commission Mtg. Nov. 10 Planning Commission Mtg. Unlike other mosquitoes that generally bite during the dawn or dusk hours, this aggressive species bites during the middle of the day. Yellow fever mosquitoes can transmit dengue fever, chikungunya and yellow fever. In order to stop the spread of this species in Orange County, the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District (OCMVCD) is calling upon all residents to help out by following these steps: 1. REPORT any sightings of small black-andwhite mosquitoes or if you are bit by mosquitoes during the day to 714-9712421 or 949-654-2421. 2. Dump and drain all stagnant water around (Continued on page 2)