The first positive mosquito samples for 2019 with confirmed West Nile Virus have been found in nearby Ripon and another in Tracy.
San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District’s mosquito-borne disease surveillance program confirmed the WNV positive mosquito samples.
“This find serves as a reminder that mosquitoes carry disease that can harm humans. The District does its part in controlling mosquitoes; however, mosquito control is everyone’s responsibility,” said Aaron Devencenzi, Public Information Officer of the District. “Adult mosquito control activities will increase in accordance with our surveillance results.”
Escalon residents can also take advantage of a free mosquitofish giveaway, being hosted by the San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District. The mosquitofish help control mosquito populations in areas including ornamental ponds, neglected swimming pools and animal water troughs.
Date for this year’s giveaway in Escalon is scheduled for Tuesday, June 25 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Hogan-Ennis Park parking lot, 1051 Escalon Ave.
Mosquitofish will be provided to residents of the cities and rural areas within the county; residents will be asked to provide their name, address and the location where the fish will be placed. A maximum of 15 fish will be provided to each resident.
The area has also seen several ground spraying operations already this year to help control the mosquito population.
District officials noted that with the recent high temperatures, mosquitos’ lifecycles speed up and so does the replication of the virus within their bodies. It is important that people protect themselves from mosquito bites. Residents and visitors of San Joaquin County can reduce their risk of WNV infection and other mosquito-transmitted diseases by taking these precautions:
Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property that can support mosquito development.
Apply insect repellent containing EPA-registered active ingredients, including DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535, according to label instructions, when outdoors. Repellents keep mosquitoes from biting.
Avoid spending time outside when mosquitoes are most active, at dawn and dusk, and especially for the first two hours after sunset.
When outdoors in cooler weather, wear long pants, loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts, and other protective clothing.
Exclude mosquitoes from your home with tight-fitting screens on doors and windows.
Contact your veterinarian for information on vaccinating equine against WNV.
Report daytime biting mosquitoes or significant mosquito infestations to San Joaquin County Mosquito & Vector Control District at www.sjmosquito.org, (209) 982-4675, 1-800-300-4675.
Report dead birds to 1-877-WNV-BIRD (1-877-968-2473) or www.westnile.ca.gov.
For additional information, request service, or to sign up for the District’s spray notification system, go to www.sjmosquito.org or call (209) 982-4675. Follow them on Facebook @SJmosquitoandvector for informative posts.
