The first human case of West Nile virus infection of 2026 in San Joaquin County has been reported, San Joaquin County Public Health Services said.
The infected patient is a woman in her 60s marking the 12th reported human case in the state this year, according to a news release from the county’s public health on Aug. 5.
As of Aug. 7, the California Department of Public Health’s statewide infection tracker showed 18 human cases detected. The tracker showed that two cases has been fatal in Glenn County and Kings County.
In June, the San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District announced that the first mosquitoes of the year positive for West Nile virus in San Joaquin County have been detected.
The mosquitoes were detected by the district’s vector-borne disease surveillance program with samples collected from Upper Jones Tract in the San Joaquin Delta islands – zip code 95219.
Maggie Park, San Joaquin County Public Health Officer, said in a statement, “For optimal health, we encourage county residents to exercise precautions against mosquito bites, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitos are most active.”
She added, “If you know you have been bitten by mosquitos and are exhibiting flu-like symptoms, you should consult with your healthcare provider, especially if you have an immunocompromised health status.”
Serious symptoms of an infection from the disease include fever, severe headaches, stiff neck, disorientation, or confusion, county officials said.
County officials also said that although about 80% of people who get infected will not show symptoms, about 1% with infection will develop serious symptoms.
The most vulnerable populations are people with weakened immune systems, people over 60, and people with diabetes or kidney disease.
Some tips to help lower chances to the virus are to wear loose-fitting clothing with long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outside, exclude mosquitoes from your home with tight-fitting screens on doors and windows, avoid spending time outside when mosquitoes are most active –at dawn and dusk, especially for the first two hours after sunset, and use an EPA-registered insect repellent.
Record reporter Victoria Franco covers public safety in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at vfranco@gannett.com. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
This article originally appeared on The Record: First 2026 West Nile virus human case confirmed in San Joaquin County
Reporting by Victoria Franco, The Stockton Record / The Record
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Victoria Franco, The Stockton Record | USA TODAY Network
