It
’s official: West Nile virus is now here in the South Valley.
Since a dead crow found on July 21 in East San Jose tested positive
for the mosquito-borne virus, more cases have been found in Santa
Clara, Campbell, Sunnyvale and now Gilroy.
It’s official: West Nile virus is now here in the South Valley. Since a dead crow found on July 21 in East San Jose tested positive for the mosquito-borne virus, more cases have been found in Santa Clara, Campbell, Sunnyvale and now Gilroy.
The news is cause for concern and sensible precautions. It’s not a cause for panic.
First, it’s important to understand that West Nile virus is rarely contracted by humans. The virus is spread by mosquitos that have fed on birds infected by the virus. It can’t be contracted by touching a bird, dead or alive, that has the virus. It also can’t be spread from person to person.
It’s important to remember that of those who are bitten by an infected mosquito, only 10 to 15 percent develop mild or moderate symptoms such as body aches and fever. Fewer than 1 percent of those exposed to the virus develop severe neurological symptoms, and there have been only a handful of fatalities in California.
West Nile virus should prompt us to make our homes and businesses as mosquito-unfriendly as possible. The most effective way to do that is to ensure that there’s no standing water anywhere on your property. Once a week, take a tour looking for any item that can hold water: a bucket, a flower pot, a spare tire, a forgotten soda can, or an unused child’s toy.
Mosquitos can breed in as little as a teaspoon of still water. Here in rural South Valley, there’s another consideration: protecting horses. Veterinarians are urging horse owners to vaccinate their animals with the equine vaccine, which is 95 percent effective in preventing the disease in horses.
Now that West Nile virus has moved close to South Valley, let’s all establish a new habit of touring our homes and businesses each week to remove any standing water. Making South Valley as unappealing to mosquitos as we can in this simple way is the best way to keep West Nile virus at bay.
