West Nile virus surfaces in Stanislaus County. Mosquitoes test positive in Modesto
The potentially deadly West Nile virus was detected in mosquitoes collected recently in east Modesto, health officials said.
The infected mosquitoes were found near Lakewood Avenue and Scenic Drive, according to a news release Friday by the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency. The East Side Mosquito Abatement District trapped the mosquitoes May 22 and testing revealed they were carrying the virus.
It was the first sample testing positive for West Nile this year in Stanislaus County and the northern San Joaquin Valley, the news release said.
The county’s two districts that conduct surveillance and mosquito control — East Side and Turlock Mosquito Abatement District — urged the public to take precautions against mosquito bites. The detection in east Modesto indicates that West Nile has emerged and may be a threat to health anywhere in the county.
The West Nile virus is spread by mosquitoes. About 20% of infected people come down with a fever and other symptoms lasting for weeks. Fewer than 1% suffer severe neurological illness, which may cause long-term disability or death.
As of Friday, the virus had been detected in mosquito samples or dead birds in the Bay Area, Stanislaus, Fresno and Southern California.
The East Side and Turlock mosquito abatement districts urged residents to report standing water and other mosquito problems.
Rainstorms in the past winter and early spring have created concerns about West Nile spreading as the weather warms up. The relatively mild temperatures in May kept mosquito activity just below normal, but that’s about to change.
County residents can help by dumping water from pots, buckets, kiddie pools, planters and tarps. The districts want to hear about neglected swimming pools in neighborhoods and standing water where mosquitoes can breed.
Other precautions include tight-fitting doors and window screens, and using insect repellent when outdoors. West Nile-carrying mosquitoes are most active near dawn or evening hours.
Call the East Side Mosquito Abatement District, at 209-522-4098, to report mosquito problems north of the Tuolumne River. Otherwise, report problems by calling Turlock Mosquito Abatement District at 209-634-1234.
