Press Release

September 21, 2005
Eileen Shields, Public Information Officer, 415/554-2507

West Nile Virus Season San Francisco Style

San Francisco, CA—Summer is almost here. At least that’s the rumor circulating among the City’s hopeful as residents weary of gray skies and fog await San Francisco’s glorious warm weather of September and October. As the temperatures in the City increase, so does the breeding activity of mosquitoes. Because mosquitoes may carry the West Nile Virus (WNV), City officials are taking the opportunity to once again remind residents of the need to protect themselves and their families.

“September and October are peak season for mosquitoes in San Francisco,” noted Rajiv Bhatia, MD, Director of the Bureau of Environmental Health. “San Francisco agencies have worked very hard to decrease the mosquito population over the past several months through a variety of creative and aggressive activities.” Staff from San Francisco’s Public Utilities Commission, Public Works, Public Health, Department of Environment and Recreation and Parks have joined forces in a number of outreach efforts such as applying larvicide to more than 20,000 catch basins throughout the City, distributing thousands of “Fight the Bite” brochures in three languages, advertising in neighborhood papers, media interviews, promoting and updating the West Nile Virus website, maintaining a mosquito information and complaint line, investigating reports of mosquito activity and eliminating areas of standing water around City property.

There are a number of things individuals can do to protect themselves from mosquito bites. Mosquitoes love shade and water and do not like wind and sun, so avoiding areas where mosquitoes are active at dusk and dawn is an easy prevention technique everyone can adopt. Wearing long sleeves and pants is another inexpensive, simple idea. To protect exposed skin, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using mosquito repellant containing any of the following ingredients: Oil of lemon eucalyptus, DEET, or Picaridin.

State health officials are still asking the public to report dead birds by calling 1/877-WNV-BIRD. Birds that show no visible signs of decay or damage, may be collected for testing. No infected birds have been found in San Francisco so far this year.

Finally, environmental health officials are recommending residents install or repair screens on windows, especially around areas that have mosquito activity. One reason that mosquitoes are abundant in the fall is that fallen leaves prevent moisture from draining or evaporating quickly. Since mosquitoes can breed in as little as one tablespoon of water, putting up a barrier between the inside of your house and the outdoors will go a long way to keeping mosquitoes from biting family members.

WNV is spread by migrating birds and transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. Most individuals who are infected with WNV will not experience any illness. Others will have only mild symptoms, such as fever, headache and body aches. However, WNV can be severe in the elderly and individuals with lowered immune systems.

To report mosquito activity on property in the City, residents can call 252-3806. For more information visit these websites: , http://www.sfmosquito.org, http://www.sfdph.org/eh/WestNile.htm and www.westnile.ca.gov.