Mosquito fogging planned to prevent of West Nile Virus in Santa Clara Co.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Mosquito fogging will occur in part of San Jose and a part of Campbell starting late Wednesday night after mosquitoes in those areas tested positive for the West Nile Virus, county officials said on Friday.

Fogging will start at 11 p.m. and last until about 2 a.m. in an area roughly bordered by Willow Street to the north, Jonathan Avenue and the Almaden Expressway to the east, Foxworthy Avenue to the south and South Peter Drive and Norman Avenue to the west.

The fogging is meant to prevent the mosquitoes from infecting humans. Last year, a record 53 people in California died from the disease.

Mosquitoes collected from zip codes 95125, 95124, 95008 and 95118 tested positive for the virus, according to county officials.

Residents should start seeing notices on their door handles starting Saturday. Residents in the area where the infected mosquitoes were found should get an alert through the AlertSCC system and through Nextdoor.

From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, vector control staff will answer questions on a dedicated phone line at (800) 314-2427. Residents can also submit questions to vectorinfodeh.sccgov.org.

County officials said residents do not need to relocate and residents can limit exposure by closing windows and doors and remaining inside during the fogging.

Residents who are sensitive to chemicals should talk with their doctor, county officials said.

In most people, West Nile Virus does not cause any symptoms, but in others, symptoms can include fever, headache, body aches, and in some cases neurological damage or death.

People with diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, kidney disease and people 50 years old and older are at greatest risk for contracting the disease, county officials said.

Residents can help prevent the spread of the disease by draining and dumping standing water, repairing screens on windows and doors and keeping swimming pools filled above the pump circulation area.

County officials recommend residents and visitors limit their outdoor activities during daylight hours. Residents can also reduce their risk by wearing long sleeve shirts and long pants, preferably in light colors and wearing insect repellent.