A mosquito-killing chemical derived from chrysanthemums will be
sprayed next week to fight the West Nile virus in two south San
Jose neighborhoods.
Gilroy – A mosquito-killing chemical derived from chrysanthemums will be sprayed next week to fight the West Nile virus in two south San Jose neighborhoods. The spraying will take place before dawn, Sept. 1, in the Santa Teresa area, where mosquitoes carrying the virus have been discovered.
“These are the areas we have found positive adult mosquitoes so we know the means of it being transferred to humans is high,” said Kriss Costa, spokeswoman for the Santa Clara County Vector Control District. “Also, the number of birds keeps growing, so these things helped us decide that fogging was necessary.”
Through Friday afternoon, the virus has been detected in 63 birds, mostly in south San Jose. Statewide there have been 370 human cases and eight deaths. One Santa Clara County resident contracted the disease but she was bitten in Sacramento County, where more than three dozen human cases have been reported.
The active chemical in the spray is Pyrenone 25-5, used in flea and head-lice shampoos and manufactured by Bayer AG. Bayer’s Web site says that Pyrenone is harmful if swallowed or inhaled.
County Health Officer Dr. Marty Fenstersheib said the chemical will be sprayed in such low quantities that residents have nothing to fear. Still, the spraying will take place between midnight and 4am.
“It’s the safest product of its kind,” Fenstersheib said. “Could [people] get irritations in their respiratory tracks? I couldn’t say no, but I would be surprised if anyone had a problem.”
Fenstersheib said the chemical has a long history of safe use in similar situations, and the minimal risk is far outweighed by the potential benefit.
“We definitely made a very conscious decision whether to do this or not and looked at the risk of the product versus the risk were facing in the area right now,” he said. “It has been used extensively on children and pets and it has a very good safety record.”
A public meeting will be held Wednesday, Aug., 31, at 6:30pm, at the South Side Community Center, 5585 Cottle Road, San Jose. Residents within the spray areas will be notified by mail.
Any questions or concerns should be directed to vector control at 792-5010.
