Invasive Asian Tiger Mosquito Found In Michigan

WAYNE COUNTY, MI — An invasive mosquito that can transmit viruses such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika has been identified in Wayne County, state health officials said Wednesday afternoon.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services officials said it had identified the first known occurrence of the invasive Asian tiger mosquito this year in Wayne County. The mosquito was first spotting in Michigan in 2017, officials said. It also has been found in 2018 and 2020, each time in Wayne County.

“Although we have not had any illnesses associated with these species of mosquitoes in Michigan, it is important to take precautions since other mosquitoes can spread viruses such as West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis to people,” MDHHS Emerging and Zoonotic Infection Diseases Manager Dr. Mary Grace Stobierski said in a statement. “Recent heavy rainfall and flooding has led to a general increase in mosquito activity throughout the state, so we urge Michiganders to take precautions such as using an EPA-registered insect repellent when outdoors.”

The Asian tiger mosquito is widespread from tropical to temperate regions of the globe, including many parts of the U.S. They do not occur naturally in Michigan, where winters are usually too harsh for them to survive, but officials said warming climate trends are supporting the spread of these mosquitoes into more northern regions.

MDHHS officials said the department has partnered with local health departments in Wayne and 23 other counties in Michigan to conduct surveillance for the two mosquito species that can carry Zika and other tropical viruses.

The invasive day-biting mosquitoes breed in containers where water collects, such as old tires, gutters and flowerpots. Continued surveillance suggests breeding populations have not survived the winter in our state.