West Nile virus has arrived.

San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District’s (District) mosquito-borne disease surveillance program recently collected the first West Nile virus (WNV) infected mosquitoes for 2025 in San Joaquin County. The mosquitoes were located in Manteca and Tracy, zip codes 95337 and 95376. These positives fall right in line with the beginning of summer, said officials.

“As temperatures continue to climb in the summer months, it is crucial that the public take action to prevent both mosquito development and mosquito bites,” said Aaron Devencenzi, Public Information Officer with the District. “Your well-being is our highest priority, so remove all standing water on your property and use mosquito repellents registered by the Environmental Protection Agency.”

The District will continue to provide surveillance of mosquito populations and tests for mosquito-borne diseases.

“Based on our scientific data, mosquito control will continue with a concentration in the areas of most concern,” Devencenzi added.

People can take the following precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites:

Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property that can support mosquito development.

According to label instructions, when outdoors, apply insect repellent containing EPA-registered active ingredients, including DEET, Picaridin, the repellent form of oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535. Repellents prevent mosquitoes from biting.

Avoid spending time outside when mosquitoes are most active, at dawn and dusk, especially for the first two hours after sunset.

Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and other protective clothing when outdoors.

Exclude mosquitoes from your home with tight-fitting screens on doors and windows.

Contact your veterinarian for information on vaccinating equines against WNV.

You can request service online at the District’s website, http://www.sjmosquito.org

Report dead birds to 1-877-WNV-BIRD (1-877-968-2473) or to www.westnile.ca.gov.

To learn more about San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control activities, visit the District’s website at www.sjmosquito.org. They can also be reached at 209-982-4675, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Recent ground spraying operations in this area covered a portion of rural northeast Escalon: North to Grooms Road; South to Thalheim Colony Road; East to Victory Avenue; West to Steinegul Road; as well as a portion of rural north Escalon: North to Yosemite Avenue, South to Allen Road, East to South Van Allen Road and West to Von Glahn Road