Santa Clara County finds 4 mosquitoes that test positive for West Nile virus
SAN JOSE (CBS SF/BCN) – Officials in Santa Clara County announced on Tuesday that mosquitos testing positive for West Nile Virus were found in Sunnyvale, Santa Clara and San Jose.
So far, no people have been infected, but county vector control crews are now preparing to spray several neighborhoods with fogging machines that contain small amounts of a pesticide beginning Thursday night.
The fogging will happen in neighborhoods where virus-positive mosquitoes were found, confined to ZIP codes 95054, 94089 and 95002. Affected neighborhoods are in the areas of Caribbean Drive, Tasman, and Lawrence Expressway.
In a news release, county officials said it is normal to see an increase in infected mosquitoes in the summer as they thrive in the heat, and that such spraying has been conducted regularly since 2003.
According to the vector control district, no relocation is necessary during the spraying, which poses only minimal risk to people, pets and the environment.
"Our goal is to reduce the adult mosquito population to prevent a human case from happening," said Beverly Perez with Santa Clara County Vector Control.
The announcement comes four days after Contra Costa County reported mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus.
"Honestly, I got it mowing my lawn," said Sacramento-area resident Marie Heilman. She was infected with West Nile Virus in 2006 and it caused an illness that left her disabled.
"It started with nausea and vertigo," Heilman said. "I couldn't even walk. I had to crawl to the bathroom."
Heilman is concerned that most people don't take West Nile Virus seriously enough, and that's why she speaks out about how dangerous it can be.
"Mine was a severe case and I'm lucky to be here to have this conversation with you today," she said.
Santa Clara County is also asking all residents to get rid of any standing water around their homes, which can be mosquito breeding grounds. The county also advises people using walking or biking trails near waterways in the area to use insect repellent before going out, especially in the early morning or late afternoon hours.
It's a health concern for people of all ages.
"Definitely with all the stuff going on, it raises even more concern for myself as a parent, just to make sure my little one is protected," said Justin Berry who was pushing his 18-month-old daughter in a stroller at Baylands Park.
Heilman says 16 years later, she's still dealing with what are now, incurable, life-long health effects including nerve damage, all from something that could have been prevented.
"I was a completely healthy 40-year-old woman. And now, I'm on total disability, fighting to keep my driver's license because I have seizures."
Vector control crews plan to begin spraying affected areas at around 10 p.m. on Thursday. Staffers will be available to answer any questions from the public on a dedicated West Nile virus hotline at (408) 282-3114 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Questions can also be submitted by email to vectorinfo@cep.sccgov.org.