Two species of invasive mosquitoes not native to California are posing a new health concern. State health officials said Wednesday the Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito, was detected for the first time last month in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. It was found earlier in ten other counties. Of additional concern is the Aedes albopictus (the Asian tiger mosquito). Both species can transmit infectious diseases, such as dengue fever, chikungunya and yellow fever. State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith says the risk is still low in California. “Infected travelers coming back to California can transmit these viruses to mosquitoes that bite them. This can lead to additional people becoming infected if they are then bitten by those mosquitoes,” Dr. Smith said. Both species bite people during the middle of the day and readily entering buildings. The more-familiar Culex mosquitoes bite primarily at dusk and dawn. There is no vaccine or treatment for chikungunya or dengue fever. To prevent mosquito-borne illnesses present in California, such as West Nile virus disease, or abroad, such as chikungunya and dengue, Dr. Smith offers the following tips: · · Apply mosquito repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and/or oil of lemon eucalyptus to your skin and clothing. · · Wear long sleeve shirts, long pants, socks and shoes when mosquitoes are most active. · · Use air conditioning, and keep mosquitoes from getting into your home by having intact window and door screens. · · Eliminate potential mosquito-breeding sources, such as water-filled containers, from around your home and where you work. Drain water that may have collected under potted plants, in bird baths and discarded tires. Check your rain