Rare mosquito discovery on Oahu prompts call to action

An entomologist is a scientist who studies bugs. In this case, Jeomhee Hasty is employed by the state of Hawaii to prevent sickness-bearing mosquitos from entering Hawaii.

From KHON2: Rare mosquito discovery on Oahu prompts call to action
State health officials say a recent rare mosquito discovery on Oahu has prompted a call for action.

Vector control officials say severe cuts to funding and man power mean residents need to act responsibly.

State entomologist Jeomhee Hasty has been studying mosquitoes for years but a couple of months ago she discovered something unusual.

"It was something different, oh what is this? I have to look at on the microscope,” said Hasty.

What she saw was a rare mosquito collected at the Honolulu International Airport.

"This species Aedes aegypti has not been found since 1949 on Oahu; so that's why it was kind of striking me,” said Hasty.

The Aedes aegypti is one of six human biting mosquitoes in the state, and until recently, was only found on Hawaii Island.

Eight of the larvae collected at the airport were positively identified as this rare species which is known to carry dengue and yellow fever in other regions.

"Again just having the mosquito doesn't bring you the disease, the mosquito transmits the disease between infected humans,” said Gary Gill of the State Health Department.

Since the mosquito was found in mid-January, DOH crews who collect the larvae have not seen it again.

But Vector Control officials say recent cuts to the department have impacted their work.

"So we lost 39 positions out of 57 here on Oahu; there are just five vector control workers vector control staff left,” said Gill.

Oahu once hosted over a hundred vector control mosquito traps on the island.

Now because of funding cuts only five remain and all are at the Honolulu Airport.

"We have one worker who is paid for by the DOT to continually treat areas in the airport, we have our two entomologists and two inspectors,” said Gill.

State officials say so far this year there has been one reported case of dengue fever in the state and six last year.

The last time yellow fever was reported in Hawaii was 100 years ago.

To prevent the spread of diseases residents are urged to clear out standing water and other mosquito breeding areas.