As summer lingers and mosquito season stretches into fall, Nevada County has confirmed its first human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in 2025. While the virus has been part of California’s seasonal cycle for decades, each local case is a sharp reminder to stay vigilant.
According to the Nevada County Public Health Department, this case is one of 31 reported statewide this year. That number may seem small, but experts emphasize that many infections go undetected. The risk peaks right now—late summer through early fall—when mosquitoes thrive in our foothill climate.
What West Nile Virus Is
West Nile Virus is spread through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Most people don’t develop symptoms, but some experience fever, headaches, or body aches. In rare cases, the illness becomes neuroinvasive, affecting the brain or nervous system. That’s when it can become life-threatening.
Nevada County’s Track Record with WNV
2018: 1 human case
2019–2022: none confirmed
2023: 1 human case (patient recovered)
2024: no activity reported
2025: 1 case reported this September
How to Protect Yourself and Your Family
The good news: prevention is simple and effective. The County’s WNV prevention guide highlights these steps:
Use EPA-registered repellent
such as DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
Avoid prime mosquito hours
dawn and dusk—if you can.
Eliminate standing water
in gutters, buckets, or bird baths weekly.
Mosquitoes only need a bottle cap’s worth of water to breed.
Repair window and door screens
to keep pests out of your home.
Nevada County’s mix of rivers, ponds, and shaded valleys makes it a perfect habitat for mosquitoes. With wildfire smoke pushing people outdoors at odd hours, and more residents spending evenings near the water, the risk isn’t abstract. This is the season to take those extra precautions.
West Nile Virus isn’t new, but each case should remind us that prevention is a community effort. Protecting yourself protects your neighbors, especially seniors and those with weaker immune systems who are most at risk.
Stay safe, stay aware, and let’s get through mosquito season together.
For updates, keep an eye on Nevada County’s Public Health alerts.
For national data and resources, check CDC’s West Nile Virus page.
Don’t miss important local updates like this.
Subscribe now!
What’s your take? Drop it below!