Aerial spraying set to target mosquitoes in Modesto, Riverbank, as West Nile death is recorded

Aerial spraying for mosquito control is set for Friday night, Sept. 6, in east rural Riverbank and portions of north, southwest and west Modesto, the East Side Mosquito Abatement District said.

The district hires a contractor for the spraying to reduce mosquitoes and prevent the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses including West Nile disease.

The aerial application using a low concentration of Dibrom will be from 9 to 11 p.m. Friday. About three-quarters of a fluid ounce per acre is applied to targeted areas with a high mosquito count. Affected residents should keep windows closed and stay indoors while the aircraft flies over.

As a precaution, bring pets indoors and cover fishponds for a couple of hours, a district news release said.

On Friday, Merced County public health officials confirmed a West Nile virus death, the first fatality of 2024. The death emphasized the public health threat posed by West Nile-infected mosquitoes in the Northern San Joaquin Valley.

A Merced County news release said the person infected was elderly, but the county didn’t provide additional details, citing confidentiality rules.

Health officials say seniors are considered at higher risk for serious West Nile illness when infected by the virus, which is transmitted by mosquito bites.

West Nile virus may cause mild symptoms such as fever and body aches. In less than 1% percent of infections, a more serious form of the disease may require hospitalization for extremely high fever, vomiting, paralysis and other severe symptoms.

Information and a map of the aerial spraying in Modesto and Riverbank is available on the East Side Mosquito Abatement website . For more information, call the district at 209-522-4098.