SAN JOSE, Calif. --
by John Boitnott, Web Producer

A plane, equipped with digital photography capability, will fly over Gilroy, Morgan Hill, parts of Campbell, Cupertino, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, San Jose and Saratoga on Tuesday, May 6, in search of neglected pools and other backyard sources that could harbor developing mosquitoes that can transmit the West Nile virus, Santa Clara County Public Affairs office representatives said Monday.

“We have had tremendous success in the last two years detecting neglected swimming pools and ponds,” said Tim Mulligan, County of Santa Clara Vector Control District Manager. “Aerial survey is now considered a vital part of our urban mosquito control program.”

A single poorly maintained swimming pool can produce millions of mosquitoes which can cause nuisance and health risks for an entire neighborhood, according to the public affairs office.

The largest area to be surveyed will cover 37 square miles of San Jose and Saratoga, a region where there was significant West Nile activity in the past two summers.

Gilroy and Morgan Hill will be covered in their entirety.

A map of the survey areas is available on the District’s website at SCCVector.org.

If a neglected pool is identified in the survey, Vector Control Technicians will contact and explain to property owners the health risks posed by poorly maintained swimming pools and ponds.

In cooperation with the property owner, county officials often take immediate steps to resolve the problem.

“The public has been very cooperative and takes the problem seriously,” said Mulligan.

Officials said although formal enforcement has not been necessary in the past, property owners can be fined up to $1,000 per day for failure to stop a public health nuisance.

“Although no human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Santa Clara County this year, residents still need to take precautions against mosquito bites,” said Russ Parman, the District Assistant Manager. “Residents need to remember to use insect repellent on exposed skin when outdoors, and eliminate standing water on their property. That is their best defense against West Nile virus,” said Parman.