WAYNE COUNTY, MI - Three years after they were seen in Michigan for the first time, Asian Tiger mosquitoes have again been found in Wayne County.
State health officials today are warning residents about the discovery, as this type of invasive mosquito is known to transmit viruses such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika.
The insect was first seen in 2017 in an industrial area of Livonia. The following year, it was found in another industrial spot, this time in Romulus.
Today, Wayne County health officials said it was identified in an industrial area in Taylor.
“These mosquitoes are widespread from tropical to temperate regions of the globe, including many parts of the U.S.,” health officials said in a news release. “They do not occur naturally in Michigan, where winters are usually too harsh for them to survive. However, warming climate trends are supporting the spread of these mosquitoes into more northern regions.”
While no illnesses associated with Asian Tiger mosquitoes have been reported here, heath officials say it’s important to take precautions against this type of mosquito as well as others, which can spread diseases like West Nile.
“We urge Michiganders to take precautions such as using an EPA-registered insect repellent when outdoors,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services chief medical executive and chief deputy director for health.
South of Michigan, the Asian Tiger mosquito has become established in Midwest spots like Indiana, Ohio and parts of Illinois. They sometimes travel in containers of commercially-shipped products, which may be how the current batch arrived, officials said.
This summer, state and local health officials are partnering to conduct surveillance for mosquitoes that can carry Zika and other tropical viruses.
To protect yourself from disease-carrying mosquitoes, health officials recommend:
•Eliminating sources of standing water such as wading pools, old tires, buckets and containers by dumping water to prevent mosquito eggs from hatching or larvae from developing into biting adults.
•Wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks when outdoors.
•Applying an EPA-registered insect repellent according to label instructions.
•Making sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens.
For more information about mosquito-borne viruses and mosquito surveillance in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/emergingdiseases.