Page Content

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. – The Santa Clara County Vector Control District (SCCVCD) has confirmed that adult mosquitoes collected from the 94089, 95002, and 95054 ZIP code areas of the city of Santa Clara tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). The detection of mosquitoes infected with WNV has prompted the scheduling of a mosquito fogging treatment in the surrounding areas, in an effort to prevent human cases of WNV. Weather permitting; the ground fogging operations are scheduled for 11 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29, and will conclude a few hours later in the early morning of Thursday, July 30.

On Wednesday and Thursday July 29-30, vector control staff will answer questions via a dedicated phone line/voicemail from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (800 - 314-2427). Questions can also be submitted by email to vectorinfo@sccgov.org .

The specific details are:

Fogging date: Wednesday, July 29, from 11:00 p.m. to approximately 2:00 a.m.

County Supervisorial: Districts 3 and 4

Cities: Santa Clara, a small portion of Sunnyvale and San José

Centered at: Tasman Drive & Great America Parkway.

Bordered by : North: CA-237, Old Mountain View Alviso Road, Channel Drive; East: Guadalupe River Trail, Avenida del Lago, Avenida de los Árboles; South: Hogan Drive, 3rd. Street, California´s Great America, Mission College Boulevard, Mission College, Socorro Avenue; West: Lawrence Expressway.

Zip codes touching the fogging zone: 94089, 95002, and 95054

Map at http://arcg.is/1LGgGok

“This is our second fogging of the year in the county and the first in this area,” said Santa Clara County Vector Control District Manager Denise Bonilla. “Killing infected mosquitoes greatly decreases the chance of people getting sick from West Nile virus. West Nile virus is preventable.”

“We want to get ahead of the spread of the virus,” Bonilla continued. “The first West Nile virus death in the state happened this week in Nevada County. The death of this senior citizen is a sad reminder that West Nile virus infection can be severe.”

Transmitted by mosquito bites, WNV infection does not cause symptoms in most people, but in some individuals it can cause fever, headache, body aches, and in severe cases, significant neurological damage or death. Adults older than 50 years old and individuals with certain chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, and kidney disease are most at risk for serious complications. Since the arrival of WNV to California in 2003, 4,806 people across the State have contracted the disease; 177 of those cases were fatal.

Residents can play a strategic role in preventing the spread of West Nile Virus. It is important to remain vigilant by taking practical steps to eliminate standing water around the home.

Some practical measures against mosquito bites are:

At home:

· Mosquitoes lay eggs in water. Drain or dump standing water weekly.

· Drain, remove, or turn over anything that can hold water: flowerpots, planter bases, bird baths, toys, cans, rain gutters, pet dishes, buckets, and old tires. Fix leaky water faucets and sprinklers.

· Screens on doors and windows should be tight-fitting and in good repair.

· Do not let your swimming pool water fall below the pump circulation area. Free mosquitofish placement can be requested through the SCCVCD for neglected pools or ornamental ponds.

Outdoors:

· Limit outdoor activities during dusk and dawn to prevent mosquito bites. Those are the times when the mosquitoes that transmit WNV are most active.

· If you need to go outside in an area where mosquitoes are active:

--Dress in long sleeve shirts and long pants, preferably in light colors.

--Apply insect repellent following label instructions.

Contact the Vector Control District if you are being bothered by mosquitoes or know of a potential mosquito-breeding source.

For free assistance with mosquito control, WNV, or other vectors, residents can contact the District office by calling (408) 918-4770 or fill out a service request online at SCCvector.org .

# # #





