Health & Fitness
Atherton Area Being Treated to Prevent West Nile Virus
WNV infected mosquitoes were discovered in Atherton recently, officials said.
ATHERTON, CA ā A mosquito control crew will treat a portion of Atherton and an adjacent portion of unincorporated San Mateo County after mosquitoes with the West Nile Virus were found in Atherton Wednesday, mosquito control officials said.
The treatment will start at 9 p.m. Thursday and end at 5 a.m. Friday in an area bordered by Hull Avenue on the west, Cam Al Lago in the east, Austin Avenue in the north and Alameda de las Pulgas in the south.
The infected mosquitoes were discovered in Atherton following the treatment last week of a neighboring area, San Mateo County Mosquito & Vector Control District officials said.
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Last week a crew treated an area consisting of portions of Redwood City and Atherton, which is now free of infected mosquitoes. But mosquito control officials want to eliminate the risk to humans in the area to be
treated.
If the treatment does not eliminate the threat, another treatment may be necessary, according to mosquito control officials.
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A map of the treatment area can be found at www.smcmvcd.org. Residents with questions can call (650) 344-8592 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Mosquito control officials said dead birds are an indication that West Nile virus is in the area. Residents are encouraged to report dead birds or dead tree squirrels to the West Nile Virus hotline at (877) WNV-BIRD or
(877) 968-2473 or online at www.westnile.ca.gov.
Birds are the most common hosts for infected mosquitoes but humans, horses and other animals can contract the disease from a bite from an infected mosquito.
The disease is not spread from person to person, according mosquito control officials.
Residents can reduce their risk of being bitten by using insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535. Residents are encouraged to check screens on doors and windows to be sure they are not damaged. Residents are also encouraged to eliminate any standing water because mosquitoes use standing water to breed.
Long sleeve shirts and pants are also effective in preventing a mosquito bite.
ā By Bay City News Service. Image via Shutterstock.