Mosquitoes With West Nile Confirmed In 2 SCC ZIP Codes

SUNNYVALE, CA — Mosquitoes have tested positive for the West Nile virus in a small area of Sunnyvale, prompting Santa Clara County's Vector Control District to deploy to the area for treatment Thursday.

Since its first detection in the Golden State in 2003, officials said more than 7,000 people have contracted the disease, and nearly 400 cases were deadly. There were 15 deaths linked to West Nile Virus in the state last year. While the infection may not cause symptoms in most people, in others it can cause a fever, headaches, and body aches. In severe cases, people can experience significant neurological damage or death.

In a news release Tuesday, the Vector Control District said West Nile was detected in mosquitoes in the 94086 and 94087 ZIP codes. Crews are scheduled to visit the area with truck-mounted equipment to reduce adult mosquito populations on Aug. 17 at 10 p.m.

While the county regularly treats areas to prevent mosquitoes from multiplying in standing water, positive West Nile detections spur more targeted efforts. The district has deployed truck-mounted crews regularly since 2003.

"It is critical that the District conduct mosquito control treatments upon finding a positive mosquito," officials wrote Tuesday. "Any delay in the application would present an imminent threat to public health and safety. This could expose the public to potential vector-borne injury, or even death."

County officials note it is normal to see an uptick in West Nile virus during summer and early fall as mosquitoes thrive in warm weather, and the Vector Control District maintains a surveillance program to quickly detect diseases, including West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis, and western equine encephalitis — all of which can be transmitted through bites from infected mosquitoes.

Residents living in the affected ZIP codes can expect to receive alerts via AlertSCC, along with an email to residents who are registered through the Registrar of Voters.

Anyone who is being bothered by mosquitoes or with information about a potential mosquito breeding ground can call the Vector Control District at 408-918-4770 or submit an online request.

Here is where the mosquito treatment is happening in Sunnyvale:

• Treatment date: Thursday, Aug. 17, around 10 p.m., for approximately four hours
• Supervisorial districts: District 3
• Cities: Sunnyvale
• Centered at: Ithaca Avenue and Pippin Avenue
• Bordered by:
  • North – West Iowa Avenue
  • East – South Mathilda Avenue and Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road
  • South – West Fremont Avenue, Astoria Drive and Cascade Drive
  • West – Highway 85, South Bernardo Avenue and Knickerbocker Drive
• ZIP codes affected: 94086 and 94087
• Interactive map: https://arcg.is/0ba5Or

Officials said people will not need to relocate during the treatment hours, as it poses minimal risk to people, pets, animals, and the environment. People who want to take extra precautions can keep their family and pets indoors during the four-hour treatment window.

"In the morning, the insecticide quickly breaks down when exposed to sunlight," officials explain. "Since the district applies insecticides at ultra-low volume (ULV), individuals aren't likely to breathe or touch anything that has enough insecticide on it to be harmful."

Residents can also take a few steps to prevent the spread of West Nile virus and reduce the risk of infection:

On your property:

• Inspect for standing water on a weekly basis.
• Drain or turn over anything that can hold water, such as flowerpots, planter bases, pet dishes, buckets and old tires.
• Clean items like bird baths and pet bowls once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
• Clear debris from rain gutters on a regular basis to allow water to flow.
• Properly screen rain barrels, cisterns and irrigation drains to prevent mosquito access.
• Fix leaky water faucets and broken sprinkler heads and avoid overwatering lawns and plants.
• Ensure window and door screens are in good condition with no holes or tears and are tight-fitting.
• Ensure swimming pool water level is adequate for proper circulation and filtration.
• Free mosquitofish can be requested online at www.sccvector.org for placement in neglected pools/spas, ornamental ponds, water troughs and other artificial bodies of water. For more information on our mosquitofish program, visit www.sccvector.org/mosquitofish.

Outdoor activities:

• Limit outdoor activities during dusk and dawn – these are the times when the mosquitoes that transmit WNV are most active.
• If spending time outdoors, dress in long-sleeve shirts and long pants, preferably in light colors – mosquitoes are mostly attracted to dark colors.
• Apply insect repellent that contains DEET, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus, always following label instructions.