Aedis aegypti, found in Ashland for the first time, is capable of spreading Zika and dengue; officials widen search and urge residents to eliminate standing water
A disease-carrying invasive mosquito has been spotted in the neighborhoods of south Ashland.
Known as Aedes aegypti (pronounced “80s egypti”), this species was previously identified in Talent last year and has now been reported in the Clay Street Park area. This discovery prompted action from the Jackson County Vector Control District, which has deployed traps and distributed door hangers around Clay and Glendale streets, located south of Main Street and north of Siskiyou Boulevard.
After three days of setting traps, 25 Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were captured. On Tuesday, six were collected, followed by 16 on Wednesday and three on Thursday. This mosquito targets humans specifically and has transmitted dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika in other regions. Fortunately, the local Aedes aegypti have not shown signs of these diseases yet.
Aedes aegypti have become more widespread in various parts of the U.S., particularly in California.
The mosquitoes are often called Egyptian mosquitoes, dengue mosquitoes, or yellow fever mosquitoes. They’re “really responsible for a lot of disease around the world,” according to Andrew Partin, a vector ecologist in Jackson County.
Active during daylight hours, Aedes aegypti prefer to feast on human blood and can spread diseases rapidly. “They tend to bite multiple people during a single meal,” Partin mentioned.
Partin and mosquito surveillance technician Joe Baures collected eight traps on Thursday morning to analyze the findings back at the lab. Some residents have even recognized the Aedes aegypti, noting their unique black and white pattern and slender body shape. “It’s a very beautiful mosquito,” Partin added.
Baures, during the trap setup, managed to capture a photo of an Aedes aegypti resting on a leaf. Although they haven’t encountered high numbers of Aedes aegypti compared to last summer in Talent, none have been reported there this year.
Both Partin and Baures believe that last summer’s public awareness efforts to reduce Aedes aegypti in Talent were effective, and they’re optimistic about a similar outcome in Ashland. “We’ve seen a huge cultural shift in Talent,” Partin remarked.
Because they favor human blood, Aedes aegypti are most active during the day and can be quite aggressive, usually biting ankles, wrists, and elbows. “They can reproduce in just a quarter-inch of standing water,” says Marsha MacCormack, a resident near Clay Street, who allowed traps to be set up in her yard. MacCormack actively ensures there’s no standing water on her property to deter mosquito breeding, describing them as “miserable little critters.”
The door hangers aim to inform residents about these mosquitoes and encourage them to take measures against standing water. Residents are advised to notify vector control if they spot any Aedes aegypti by calling 541-826-2199 or visiting the vector control district’s website.
“Once people realize we have the mosquitoes, we usually get the calls,” Partin noted. Baures, who has skills in setting up specialized traps designed to lure Aedes aegypti, is fondly nicknamed “Joe the BG pro” by Partin. He spends his days knocking on doors for permission to set traps and check on them.
Baures estimates that less than 5% of residents refuse permission, suggesting a general concern for public health among the community. The specialized traps utilize a fan to draw in mosquitoes, which then get caught in a net for further examination. Carbon dioxide and a small scent device enhance the traps’ effectiveness, mimicking human attraction to these mosquitoes.
Aedes aegypti were first found in California in 2013 and have since proliferated in places like Redding. “These mosquitoes have exploded in Redding since 2022,” Partin explained.
The efforts to manage the spread of Aedes aegypti extend beyond Jackson County. Partin collaborates with the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, and U.C. Davis sponsors internships that have helped train Baures.
Emilio DeBess, a state public health veterinarian with the Oregon Health Authority, expressed concern about Aedes aegypti’s emergence in Oregon, particularly since this species is typical in warmer climates of the U.S., Southeast Asia, Africa, and Pacific Islands. They carry diseases more common in those areas, including Zika virus and chikungunya. However, DeBess reassured that the risk of these diseases locally is low, as the likelihood of transmission depends on infected individuals arriving from outside the state. As of now, there have been no local cases reported.
Staying safe
Residents can take measures to help prevent the spread of Aedes aegypti:
• Dump out any standing water around the home.
• Remove containers that can collect water, like plant saucers, old tires, and buckets.
• Fix leaking outdoor faucets.
• Clear rain gutters.
• Cover or remove rain barrels and trash bins.
• Use mosquito repellent outdoors, with products containing DEET or similar effective ingredients.
• Sleep under a mosquito net outdoors or in rooms without screens.
