Did illegals bring aggressive, virus-transmitting mosquito?

Deadly insect found in L.A. endemic to Central America

Did illegal aliens from Central America bring with them an aggressive mosquito just discovered in California that is a known transmitter of debilitating and possibly deadly viruses?

Both the mosquito itself and many of the viruses that can be transmitted by the insect are endemic to Central America and have been found in Mexico.

The yellow fever mosquitoes were found Oct. 7 and 8 in the Los Angeles counties of Commerce and Pico Rivera, as the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.

The mosquito, also known by its scientific name, Aedes aegypti, is an insect capable of spreading dengue fever, chikungunya, yellow fever viruses and other diseases.

Susanne Kluh, director of scientific-technical services for the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District, told the Times that while the “debilitating viruses, so far, aren’t locally transmitted in L.A. County, the mosquitoes that can transmit them are now here.”

“Infected travelers can bring these viruses to Los Angeles County,” Kluh warned.

More