One week after the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency confirmed the presence of West Nile Virus in a pool of mosquitoes, the agency is now reporting the county has recorded it first resident testing positive for the virus.
Stanislaus County Public Health has confirmed that a resident in Stanislaus County has been infected with West Nile Virus and developed a neurological illness, known as neuroinvasive WNV, a type of illness that affects the nervous system. This is the first human case of WNV for the year 2025.
The virus is mainly transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Public Health, along with local mosquito abatement districts, reported the first pool of mosquitoes that tested positive for WNV last week and more pools of infected mosquitoes have since been discovered.
Most people who catch WNV don’t show any obvious symptoms and often won’t realize they have it. Some people may experience mild symptoms like fever, headache, and tiredness. However, in rare cases, WNV can cause serious illnesses that affect the brain and spinal cord, such as encephalitis or meningitis. These severe conditions can lead to long-term problems or even death.
Certain groups of people, including older adults, those with diabetes, and people with weak immune systems, are more likely to get very sick from WNV.
“As we celebrate Independence Day, we urge the community to take steps to avoid exposure to mosquito bites. One in four mosquito samples collected from different parts of the City of Modesto over the past week and a half have tested positive for West Nile Virus,” says Dr. Wakoli Wekesa of East Side Mosquito Abatement District. “We are doing everything we can on the ground to reduce the mosquito population in affected areas.”
Dr. Thea Papasozomenos, Stanislaus County Public Health Officer, stresses the importance of community awareness and engagement: “The discovery of mosquito pools positive for West Nile Virus by both local Mosquito Abatement Districts is a reminder that we need to take proactive measures to prevent mosquito breeding in our community. We urge residents to dump and drain any standing water around their homes, and report neglected swimming pools, as these can serve as mosquito breeding sites. There is no vaccine or specific treatment for WNV, so it is very important that people protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites.”
People ages 55 and older are at higher risk for serious symptoms if they get West Nile Virus. Now is the time to make and use your summertime plan to protect you and your family from infected mosquito bites that can spread West Nile Virus.
• Use insect repellent – Choose an EPA-registered product and apply it when spending time outdoors.
• Wear long sleeves and pants – Especially during peak mosquito hours (dawn and dusk).
• Keep mosquitoes out – Use tight fitting screens on windows and doors and fix any holes.
• Use air conditioning – When possible, keep windows and doors closed.
• Report neglected swimming pools to your local mosquito abatement district.
• Contact your veterinarian for information on vaccinating equines against WNV. For general mosquito prevention:
• Dump and drain standing water – Mosquitoes breed in still water, so empty buckets, tires, birdbaths, flowerpots, and other containers regularly.
If you notice an unusual number of mosquitoes or mosquitoes that bite during the day, contact the Turlock Mosquito Abatement District at (209) 634-1234.
Dead birds can be an early warning sign of West Nile Virus in your area. Report them to the California West Nile Virus Dead Bird Hotline: At 1-877-968-2473 or westnile.ca.gov
