SAN DIEGO–The County of San Diego’s Vector Control Program plans to hand-spray a two-city block area in San Diego as a preventive measure after Aedes mosquito larvae were found in the same area as the home of a person who could potentially have a mosquito-borne illness.
County public health officials said the person recently traveled to a country where tropical mosquito-borne illnesses including chikungunya, dengue fever, and the Zika virus are active, and developed symptoms upon returning home. State officials are expediting tests to determine if the person has a mosquito-borne disease.
County Vector Control inspectors surveyed the person’s neighborhood. They found Aedes mosquito larvae nearby, and as a result, plan to spray Friday to kill any adult mosquitoes in the area in an abundance of caution to protect public health.
Adult Aedes mosquitoes can transmit tropical diseases. However, no Aedes mosquitoes have ever been found in San Diego County carrying any infections.
The County is acting to prevent mosquitoes from being introduced to any potential disease.
“Although there has not been a confirmed case of any disease in this situation, we are taking appropriate steps to minimize potential risk and protect the public’s health,” said Sayone Thihalolipavan, M.D., M.P.H., County deputy public health officer.
County Vector Control workers are scheduled to notify residents in the South Park neighborhood Thursday, and to conduct hand-spraying in the neighborhood on Friday. The affected area is bordered by Grape Street on the north, 32nd Street on the east, Elm Street to the south and 31st Street to the west.