Recently, health officials found the dangerous West Nile virus in mosquitoes collected from east Modesto.
These infected mosquitoes were discovered near Lakewood Avenue and Scenic Drive. The East Side Mosquito Abatement District caught them on May 22, and tests showed they were carrying the virus.
This is the first time this year that a sample in Stanislaus County and the northern San Joaquin Valley tested positive for West Nile, according to a news release.
The county’s two districts responsible for keeping an eye on mosquitoes and controlling them—East Side and Turlock Mosquito Abatement District—are advising people to be careful about mosquito bites. Finding the virus in east Modesto suggests that West Nile could be a health threat anywhere in the county.
West Nile is spread by mosquitoes. When people get infected, about 20% of them develop a fever and other symptoms that can last for weeks. Less than 1% get seriously ill with neurological problems, which could lead to long-term disability or death.
As of Friday, the virus has been found in mosquito samples or dead birds in various places like the Bay Area, Stanislaus, Fresno, and Southern California.
The East Side and Turlock mosquito abatement districts are asking residents to report any standing water or other mosquito issues.
Due to rainstorms in the past winter and early spring, there are concerns about West Nile spreading as the weather gets warmer. Although mosquito activity in May was slightly below normal because of the mild temperatures, that’s likely to change.
People in the county can help by getting rid of water from things like pots, buckets, kiddie pools, planters, and tarps. The districts also want to know about abandoned swimming pools in neighborhoods and any standing water where mosquitoes could breed.
Other precautions include making sure doors and window screens are tight-fitting and using insect repellent when outside. Mosquitoes carrying West Nile are most active around dawn and in the evening.