With reports emerging of Asian Tiger Mosquito sightings in the area, the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District is asking residents to keep an eye out for the black and white pests and contact authorities if they spot them.
Native to Southeast Asia, the aggressive Tiger Mosquito can transmit dengue, yellow fever, West Nile, and other viruses that can cause encephalitis.
"Invasive "Asian Tiger" mosquitoes were found last fall in the cities of El Monte, South El Monte, and in an unincorporated area of L.A. County just south of Duarte, and an aggressive action plan was implemented to identify and control the infestation and population of these mosquitoes," Interim City Manager Mark Alvarado wrote in his weekly report last week. "However, with the warm weather approaching, there have been reports of these mosquitoes emerging."
The mosquitoes are "persistent and extremely costly to manage" so reporting sightings is important, Alvarado wrote.
Residents can report sightings of the mosquito to the SGVMVCD at (626) 814-9466 or the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District at (562) 944-9656.
