Evidence of local extinction and reintroduction of Aedes aegypti in Exeter, California

This work provides a unique and strong case for a mosquito population elimination in Exeter in year 2014 and reintroduction from other locations 3 years later due to its unique genetic profile of Exeter 2014 samples. This demonstrated the effectiveness of population genomic approach in informing the efficacy of mosquito control methods on the ground. This is a particularly important development because some public pushed back on mosquito control measures as the re-emergence of Aedes aegypti in their neighborhood seemingly proved that the intensive spraying to curb spread of this deadly invasive mosquito was unnecessary and ineffective. Our results provide a strong evidence that the intensive spraying in Exeter in 2014 did work in eliminating the local population.