Saratoga News
News
County spraying for mosquitoes in fight against West Nile virus
By Jason Sweeney
Trucks from the Santa Clara County Vector Control District sprayed a fog of insecticide over West San Jose and Saratoga on July 7 between midnight and 3:30 a.m. The spraying was conducted in an area where 12 birds and two groups of mosquitoes tested positive for the West Nile virus last month.
The insecticide, Pyerenone 25-5, contains chemicals from chrysanthemums that break down in sunlight. The same chemicals are used in dog shampoos and household bug sprays and are said to be safe for humans at levels used to kill mosquitoes.
The insecticide was sprayed as a thin mist from machines mounted in the back of county pick-up trucks. The area targeted for spraying encompassed Saratoga's Golden Triangle and parts of West San Jose.
A community meeting July 5 concerning West Nile virus was held at the Lynbrook High School gymnasium. All available seating in the gym was filled and about 100 people in the overflow crowd sat on the floor.
Saratoga Vice Mayor Aileen Kao, who was in attendance, said. "I'm concerned about the spread of the mosquitoes. This is the first time in my 10 years in Saratoga that I have been notified about West Nile virus. I wanted to know what they are going to do and what we can do to prevent West Nile virus."
According to the state of California website, 19 people infected with the virus died last year in California. One human case of West Nile virus has been reported so far this year in Kern County.
Kao's home backs up to Saratoga Creek and she has a swimming pool. She said she is taking extra precautions; when she goes outside in the afternoon, she wears a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and socks. She said she has eliminated standing water on her property and keeps the water in her swimming pool circulating.
The Santa Clara County Vector Control District is trapping adult mosquitoes to assess the impact of the July 7 fogging. If the district determines more spraying is needed, the public will be notified through the media of the date, time and area.
For more information on West Nile virus, call 1.800.314.2427, or visit www.sccvector.org.
