In an update affecting residents across a swath of San José and Milpitas, officials from the County of Santa Clara Vector Control District have confirmed the detection of West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes. The discovery, pinpointed within the ZIP codes 95035, 95131, and 95132, has triggered a response from local health officials. A scheduled truck-mounted mosquito control treatment is set to take place on Tuesday, August 13, starting around 10 p.m., with efforts expected to conclude within two to four hours of their commencement, according to the County of Santa Clara.

Mitigating the spread and impact of the West Nile virus seems to be a complex dance between proactive measures and reactive responses. The district's strategy typically focuses on halting mosquitoes before they mature, using integrated pest management to tackle the larvae in standing water. However, facilitating treatments to reduce adult mosquito populations becomes necessary following the detection of carriers of the West Nile virus. "Any delay would present an imminent threat to public health and safety, exposing the public to potential vector-borne illness or even death", the public health officials outlined the situation's stakes, as per the County of Santa Clara. With summer warmth creating ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes, these measures are preventative and critical in keeping potential West Nile virus infections at bay.

Residents in the affected areas are informed of the imminent mosquito control activity via several channels. Postcards are making their way into postal boxes, and notifications are being sent out through AlertSCC to registered voters and across social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Nextdoor. Information is available on Vector Control’s dedicated West Nile Virus Hotline at (408) 282-3114 during office hours and via email at [email protected].