September 20, 2023

HAYWARD – Due to the increased West Nile virus activity in parts of Livermore, the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District will be treating adult mosquitoes on Thursday, September 21st, depending on weather conditions. District personnel will apply Evergreen ULV (5-25) Ground Public Health Insecticide during the late evening hours by a truck mounted ultra-low volume sprayer in Jack Williams Park and the neighborhood surrounding Max Baer Park with Concannon Blvd as the southern boundary and Diamond Blvd. and El Caminito as the northern boundary. A third treatment will take place close to the 580 freeway, using Evergreen ULV (5-25). This smaller treatment will be conducted by a hand-held device and target the undeveloped area between Constitution Dr as the southern boundary and N Canyons Parkway as the northern boundary, to the west of Collier Canyon Rd.

Two maps of the treatment zones can be seen below.

Residents in the areas on the first map, between Concannon Blvd as the southern boundary and Diamond Blvd and El Caminito as the northern boundaries are encouraged to stay indoors during the spraying hours, which are limited to nighttime. The insecticide will begin to break down in sunlight. To learn more about spraying for adult mosquitoes, see our website, https://www.mosquitoes.org/chemical-control.

Livermore has had a number of West Nile virus positive dead birds and groups of positive mosquitoes in the treatment areas. General Manager Ryan Clausnitzer explains “the public has helped the district find pockets of West Nile virus in Livermore by calling in dead birds and mosquito concerns. Adult mosquito control treatments are the fastest way to quickly get the number of mosquitoes down, but we will continue to need the public’s help to remove areas of standing water where mosquitoes grow.”

Effective mosquito control relies upon residents to do their part. Residents are urged to be proactive by eliminating sources of water where mosquitoes can breed, such as plants, outdoor containers, unmaintained swimming pools and other cryptic places. Residents should also protect themselves from mosquito bites by wearing long loose clothing, repairing or replacing window screens in their homes, and wearing insect repellent in mosquito heavy areas. If you come across a dead bird please report it by calling (877)WNV-BIRD or online at https://westnile.ca.gov 

The District continues its mosquito surveillance and larval control program throughout the county, alongside our response to West Nile virus in the county.

As of September 15, California has had 567 dead birds, 3,732 mosquito samples, 147 sentinel chickens, and 124 humans test positive for West Nile virus. Six people in California have died from West Nile virus this year. Due to the heavy rain from the winter, along with scattered showers in spring and summer mosquitoes have more water to breed in.

West Nile virus is transmitted to people and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. There is no cure for West Nile virus. Approximately one in five people who are infected with West Nile virus will develop symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, or rash. Less than one percent will develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis. Adults over 50 years old and people with compromised immune systems are at increased risk of serious complications. Anyone who develops symptoms should seek medical care immediately.

Horses are very susceptible to West Nile virus, however, vaccines are available. Horse owners are advised to contact their veterinarians immediately about timely vaccinations.

For information about mosquitoes and West Nile virus visit our website: www.mosquitoes.org. Residents can request mosquitofish for their fish ponds, horse troughs, etc. by contacting our District office. We are located in Hayward at 23187 Connecticut St. Our phone number is (510)783-7744. For information concerning West Nile virus symptoms, prevention, or testing please contact the Alameda County Public Health Department at (510)267-8001

Contact for media inquires:

Judith Pierce, MPH

Public Outreach Coordinator

510-783-7744

judith@mosquitoes.org

Adult mosquito control area in yellow: Max Baer Park neighborhood with Concannon Blvd as the southern boundary and Diamond Blvd, along with Jack Williams Park

Adult mosquito control in orange: Undeveloped area between Constitution Dr as the southern boundary and N Canyons Parkway as the northern boundary, to the west of Collier Canyon Rd.

Max Baer Park neighborhood with Concannon Blvd as the southern boundary and Diamond Blvd, along with Jack Williams Park

Undeveloped area between Constitution Dr as the southern boundary and N Canyons Parkway as the northern boundary, to the west of Collier Canyon Rd.