By Khalida Sarwari
Santa Clara County Vector Control District technicians planned to conduct an aerial survey today of urban areas in Milpitas and north San Jose for mosquito sources.
The operation will cover about 42 square miles to detect neglected pools and any sources that could harbor mosquitoes. Following the operation, district technicians will determine pools that need immediate attention, then contact the pool owners and arrange to have them checked and treated if they are developing mosquitoes.
More than 2,500 neglected pool locations have been uncovered since 2007, during which district technicians have undertaken 3,800 inspections and 1,000 treatments.
Technicians are warning residents about the dangers of a poorly maintained pool, as they are known to produce millions of mosquitoes. West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquito bites and can hit the elderly and those with delicate immune systems the hardest.
The Vector Control District is asking residents to report sightings of crows, jays, sparrows, finches or birds of prey that have been dead for less than 48 hours and do not appear to have died due to an injury by calling (408) 918-4770.