(CBS/AP) More sightings of Aedes aegypti -- a mosquito capable of carrying deadly yellow fever, dengue and other diseases -- are popping up in California as vector control agents scramble to control its spread.

The bugs first were detected in California's Central Valley communities of Madera and Clovis in June, and were detected again this week in the city of Fresno and in San Mateo County in the Bay Area in August.

"We were shocked," Leonard Irby, district manager of Madera's mosquito abatement program, told theLos Angeles Times. "We never expected this mosquito in California."

One expert noted the discovery means that this mosquito can potentially spread the deadly diseases if they bite an infected person, but emphasized that doesn't mean officials have found these diseases yet in the state.

"It's certainly concerning that the mosquito has been located. But what's important for people to remember is identification just represents a method of transmission -- the diseases have not yet been recognized in California," Dr. Soniya Gandhi, an assistant clinical professor in the division of infectious diseases at UCLA Medical Center, said to

The Aedes aegypti, or "yellow fever mosquito," targets humans and their dwellings, according to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. They don't just feed off of blood for meals, but seek out containers of water to lay eggs and complete their development.

The dark mosquitoes with white markings and banded legs bite during the day, prefer people to animals, and need only a teaspoon of water -- less than in a saucer under a houseplant -- to lay eggs to reproduce.

The bugs are highly resilient due to adaptations like the ability to survive without water for several months, and can bounce back to initial numbers after human control efforts, according to the CDC.


So far none of the mosquitoes trapped within a 2-square-mile infected area of Clovis have carried diseases. But officials warn that if the mosquito bites someone infected with dengue,problems could arise as they have across southern Florida, where dozens of residents have been infected.

The mosquito also has been detected in Texas and Arizona. Arizona is also setting traps to make sure the bugs don't spread across the state, CBS affiliate KPHO inPhoenixreported.

Dengue is a virus that can cause headache and body pains and a rash similar to measles. Ninety-nine percent of cases can be treated, but the disease can be deadly if unrecognized. Yellow fever is a virus that causes severe flu-like symptoms and sometimes jaundice. It also can kill.




While it would be rare for the insects to cause disease, Gandhi thinks awareness and prevention efforts could help further reduce risk. People can reduce all piles of standing water near their homes, such as by emptying out flower pots and covering trash cans, and they can also make sure their screen doors are sufficiently covered.

Individuals can also wear long, loose clothing and stay indoors, oruse insect repellants with up to 10 percent DEETor picaridin.






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