A older man has become the first person in San Joaquin County to be infected with West Nile virus this year, the county’s Public Health Services department reported.
The case makes San Joaquin County the 14th county in the state to report the potentially deadly mosquito-borne infection in 2025.
No details were released on the latest case, including the patient’s condition or where he believes he contracted the virus. He is the 61st confirmed case in the state.
Stocktonia reported in June that mosquitoes carrying the virus had been found in the county.
About 80% of those bitten by infected insects do not present symptoms, but for 1%, the virus can be serious. Earlier this month, Stocktonia reported that three of the four people who had died at the time from contracting West Nile virus were in the San Joaquin Valley. Since then, a fifth person has died.
Older people, those with compromised immune symptoms, diabetes or kidney disease are most vulnerable, health officials say. Symptoms include fever, severe headaches, stiff neck, disorientation or confusion.