Escalon and Farmington continue to have mosquito issues and – with an unconfirmed case of West Nile Virus in the area – have seen both ground and aerial spraying throughout the region.

One woman that contacted The Times indicated she had been told she tested positive for the virus but that had not been confirmed by the county’s health department as of press time.

Officials at the San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District did report multiple spraying operations in the area and several mosquito traps have been set in high impact areas, allowing for the continued testing for the virus.

Ground spraying was conducted on Sept. 4 in an area covering Jackson Avenue and Highway 120 to Vine Avenue, Brook Street and west to Main Street in Escalon, while earlier ground spraying covered portions of rural Farmington including Little Johns Creek, East Gawne Road, Mobley and Stowe roads, and a portion of rural north Escalon covering Lone Tree Creek, the BNSF railroad tracks, Escalon-Bellota Road and west to Brennan.

Aerial spraying late last week was due Thursday or Friday night, again in Farmington, north to Highway 4, south to Skiff Road and on either side of Van Allen Road, covering about a mile and a half both east and west of the road. The city and rural Escalon also had the aerial spraying, north to Lone Tree, south to Craig and Clough, east to Campbell and west to Sexton.

Escalon and Farmington are not the only communities with a stepped up ground and aerial spraying schedule, as several locations in the Delta and Stockton area are seeing increased mosquito populations as well.

Next on the schedule is an early morning ground spraying, between 6:15 a.m. and 7 a.m. either today (Sept. 16) or Thursday, Sept. 17 in rural east Escalon, north to Grooms Road, south to Dutra Lane, east to Victory Avenue and west to Henry road.

Anyone with concerns about the spraying or to report dead birds that may be infected with the West Nile virus is urged to call the hotline at 877-968-BIRD (2473).

Residents are also reminded to protect against mosquitoes by wearing long sleeves and pants during the dawn and dusk times when they are most active, remove standing water from your property, and use an insect repellant when outdoors.