Press Release

May 27, 2005 
Eileen Shields, Public Information Officer, 415/554-2507

West Nile Virus Season Approaching

City Advises Residents to Report and Eliminate Mosquito Breeding Areas

San Francisco, CA—The welcoming warm weather of late spring also means that mosquito season has begun. With the increase in mosquito activity comes the threat of West Nile Virus. Mosquitoes multiply quickly and under conditions that are found throughout San Francisco: warm temperatures and standing or still water will produce an abundance of mosquitoes within a very short time period.

San Francisco is a unique mosquito breeding grounds. The chilly summer fog that blankets the City from June through October helps deter much of the mosquito population in some areas, but the microclimates found in other neighborhoods provide a warm welcome to mosquitoes anywhere water accumulates.

San Francisco health officials, along with other city agencies, are using the advent of warm weather to once again remind residents that prevention goes a long way to protecting their own health and the health of those they love.

Because mosquitoes can grow in any puddle of water that stands for more than four days, here are a number of ways to eliminate as many sources of standing water as possible:

• Get rid of containers (no matter how small) that have standing water
• Check and clear gutters and drains
• Remove debris—such as leaves, twigs and trash—from ditches
• Turn over, cover tightly, or remove equipment such as tarps, buckets, barrels, dumpsters, cans, wheelbarrows, tires and other containers that accumulate water. When this is not practical, drill drain holes in the containers.
• Where appropriate, offer to help your elderly or disabled neighbors. Mosquitoes disregard fences.
• Report areas of high mosquito activity to the Department of Public Health, 252-3806.

Eliminating standing water in backyards and around houses will also reduce the likelihood of getting bitten by an infected mosquito. Also this summer, it is important for residents to be extra vigilant in reporting areas with high mosquito activity.

Within the City, San Francisco’s Department of Public Works, Environment, the Public Utilities Commission, and Recreation & Parks are joining with DPH in this “Fight the Bite” campaign to educate residents about preventing West Nile Virus. For information visit www.sfmosquito.org.