-----Original Message-----
From: Mayo, Matthew [mailto:Matthew.Mayo@sanjoseca.gov]
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2005 11:30 AM
Subject: West Nile Virus Found in South San Jose Birds
From the Santa Clara County Vector Control District, courtesy of
Councilmember Forrest Williams:
Three Birds In Almaden/Santa Teresa Area
Test Positive For West Nile Virus
The Santa Clara County Vector Control District (the District) received
confirmation that three birds found in Santa Clara County (the County)
have
tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). This brings the number of WNV
positive birds in the County to five this year.
The first bird, a quail, was found on March 15 in the area of Almaden
Expressway and Meridian Ave. The second bird, a Lesser Goldfinch, was
found
on March 17 in the area near Blossom Hill and Santa Teresa. The third
bird,
a blackbird, was found on March 25 in the area of Almaden Expressway and
Blossom Hill.
"Although these are not the first WNV positive birds to be found in the
County this year", said Kriss Costa, Community Educational Specialist
for
the District, "the find is significant in that the birds were all found
within ten days and a five mile radius of each other. This is an area
that
was considered a "hot spot" last year. Eighteen of the 46 positive birds
found in the County were from the same general area."
Experts are predicting Northern California to be the epicenter of the
WNV
this year. This virus is transmitted to humans and animals through the
bite
of an infected mosquito and cannot be spread from person to person.
"The unusually high amount of rains and warm temperatures this year have
made for a great mosquito season", said District Manager, Tim Mulligan.
"Because of this find, we have stepped up our surveillance and outreach
program. Our field technicians have been working hard to keep the
mosquitoes
under control, but we really need the public's help in this fight. Our
greatest challenge is getting people to check around their homes,
apartments
or work locations for mosquito-breeding sources such as swimming pools,
ponds, buckets, barrels, leaking sprinkler systems, dripping hoses,
anything
that can produce a puddle of standing water."
Residents can reduce their risk of being bitten by mosquitoes by taking
the
following precautions:
-Drain all sources of standing water where mosquitoes might breed
-Dusk and dawn are when mosquitoes are most likely to bite. Try to limit
outdoor activities during these times.
-Dress in light colored, long sleeved shirts and pants if outdoors at
dusk
and dawn or when mosquitoes are biting.
-DEET keeps mosquitoes from biting you. Use insect repellents containing
DEET when outdoors when mosquitoes are likely to bite. Follow the
directions
carefully.
-Daily running of swimming pool and hot tub filters is important since
they
may be a major source of mosquitoes.
-Dead birds should be reported to 877-WNV-BIRD (877)9968-2473
-Make sure all window and door screens are tight and in good repair.
The Vector Control District, established in 1988 to control mosquitoes
in
public waterways, also provides information and assistance on other
vectors
including rats, ticks, yellow jackets, head lice and wildlife. The
District
can be contacted at 408-792-5010 or 800-675-1155.
###
Matthew W. Mayo
Community Relations, Services, & Facilities
Office of Councilmember Forrest Williams
City of San Jose, Council District Two
801 North First Street, Sixth Floor
San Jose, CA 95110-1716
(408) 277-4282
(408) 280-6562 Fax
matthew.mayo@sanjoseca.gov
www.sanjoseca.gov/district2
"In a constitutional republic, the highest title is 'citizen'." - Thomas
E.
Baker
