First West Nile Virus case in San Joaquin County in 2024 confirmed

(FOX40.COM) — San Joaquin County Public Health Services said it had confirmed its first case of West Nice Virus of the year.

The county health department said a 57-year-old Stockton resident received treatment for the disease at a Sacramento area healthcare facility.

West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans via mosquito bites. According to the health department, about one in five people who are infected develop symptoms and only one in 150 infected people develop serious symptoms.

“This time of year, when mosquitos are more present, we highly encourage the public to stay safe by wearing EPA-approved repellents and following California Department of Public Health (CDPH) bite-prevention guidelines,” San Joaquin County Public Health Officer Dr. Maggie Park said.

To reduce your odds of infection, the health department recommends draining any areas of standing water where mosquitoes might lay their eggs, avoiding being outside during dawn and dusk and wearing “EPA-registered insect repellent” containing DEET.

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