Mosquito Fogging Planned Wednesday Night In Nearby Areas

The Santa Clara County Vector Control District will conduct fogging operations on Wednesday night after confirming adult mosquitoes collected in parts of the South Bay and Peninsula tested positive for West Nile virus last Friday, district officials said.

The infected mosquitoes were found in San Jose, Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills, prompting fogging treatment planned from 11 p.m. Wednesday to about 4 a.m. Thursday, according to the vector district.

The SCCVCD confirmed that adult mosquitoes collected from the 95122, 95148, 95135, 95111, 95121 ZIP code areas of San José and from the 94022, 94040, 94024 Zip code areas of the cities of Los Altos, Mountain View, and Los Altos Hills have tested positive for West Nile virus.

Door hangers notifying residents of the fogging are being distributed in the affected neighborhoods today and Wednesday. According to district officials, there is no need to relocate during fogging.

A map of the treated area could be seen at http://arcg.is/1N0JSbM

However, Bonilla suggests those who want to minimize exposure to the pesticide should avoid going outside and keep windows closed. West Nile virus typically does not cause symptoms in most people but seniors or people with chronic medical conditions could be at a higher risk, Bonilla said.

Symptoms of West Nile virus may include fever, headache, body aches, and in severe cases, neurological damage or death, according to district officials. The district encourages residents to eliminate standing water where mosquitoes might breed and lay eggs by regularly dumping and draining pots, bird baths, toys, cans, rain gutters, pet dishes, buckets or other items.

The district also encourages residents to report potential mosquito-breeding sources such as neglected pools by calling (408) 918-4770.

--Bay City News contributed to this report/Shutterstock image