Mosquitoes with West Nile Virus Found in Area

Friday, August 9, 2019 at 8:50 AM

San Juan County vector control regularly collects and tests mosquito specimens for various disease. Mosquitoes bearing West Nile virus were collected in one such test the week of August 5, 2019. There are no known cases of West Nile Virus in human or animals at this time.

From San Juan County:

Thursday, August 8, 2019

The first West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes of 2019 were collected in San Juan County in the past week.

San Juan County vector control regularly collects and tests mosquito specimens for various disease. Mosquitoes bearing West Nile virus were collected in one such test the week of August 5, 2019.

There are no known cases of West Nile Virus in human or animals at this time.

Recent abundant moisture and snow runoff has made 2019 an especially bad season for mosquitoes. San Juan County Vector Control performs regular treatment to target larva and adult mosquitoes. The goal is to reduce the overall mosquito population. Vector control targets problem areas on public property and areas on private property, at the owner’s request and permission.

There are ways to reduce exposure to mosquitoes. Property owners can eliminate places for mosquitoes to breed and those going outside around dawn and dusk can protect themselves.

Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water. Property owners can reduce mosquito breeding by draining any standing water. Look for areas that may hold rainwater, like tires and empty buckets, and drain areas where irrigation water may collect. Mosquitoes can breed in water collected in a bottle cap. Water in one tire can be the breeding ground for as many as one million mosquitoes in a typical season.

To protect yourself, use DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 insect repellent on exposed skin when you go outdoors. Use permethrin to treat clothing, and cover as much skin as you can. Always follow label directions for the repellant. Keep windows and doors closed if not screened. Screens must be tight with no holes to be effective.

Common West Nile virus symptoms are fever, nausea, headache, and muscle aches. If someone has these symptoms, they should see their health care provider. People older than 60 are at most risk for complication from West Nile.

Vector control will continue to test mosquitoes for various diseases throughout the season. Mosquitoes will continue to breed until a hard frost kills the breeding adults.

If you want to request mosquito treatment on your property, call the Vector Control Hotline at (505) 334-4526. San Juan County Vector Control only treats unincorporated areas of the county and, by contract, areas in the city of Aztec.

Editor's note: KSJE recently aired an entire program on San Juan County's vector control efforts. Watch it here.

More from Local News

Update: Driver Cited for Street Racing (video)

The driver of the red Toyota Supra, 22-year-old Kalynn Kenworthy, was charged with racing on highways. Kenworthy has an extensive history of traffic violations, including citations for racing in August 2025 and in 2023, as well as more than seven speeding citations within the past four years, each averaging more than 15 mph over the posted speed limit. Additional charges are pending against the driver of the white passenger car.
Dineh Benally Pleads Guilty to Charges from Illegal Marijuana Farms

According to court documents, from approximately January 2018 to November 2020, Benally, 48, and his co-conspirators established over 30 farms, covering more than 400 acres, on land obtained from Navajo Nation members. To fund this illegal enterprise, Benally and a co-conspirator traveled to California and created front companies to solicit Chinese investors. These investors were charged cash fees ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 for counterfeit cannabis cultivation licenses.
Three Injured in Farmington Shooting, Suspect Arrested

It was discovered that several individuals had been injured. A juvenile sustained a graze wound, a 16-year-old was shot in the leg, and an 18-year-old was shot in the chest and transported to Albuquerque in critical condition. The vehicle involved in the crash is connected to the shooter. At this time, the shooter has been identified as an 18-year-old male.
Woman Injured in Shooting, Suspect Arrested

As three individuals tried to leave a party, a male subject began shooting, unintentionally striking the vehicle and, subsequently, a passenger inside the vehicle. The passenger was transported to San Juan Regional Medical Center and later transported to UNM in Albuquerque, where she is awake and in stable condition.
Arrest Made in Fatal Hit & Run

Using multiple means of evidence, the driver was identified as Alvin Paul who was driving a 2003 white Chevrolet when he veered off the road, hitting Shirley. Paul did not stop or report the crash and surveillance footage from a nearby business proved Paul as the driver. He later admitted to operating the vehicle carelessly. At the time of the crash, Paul’s driver’s license was revoked from a prior DWI arrests. He has two prior DWI convictions and is currently on probation for the second DWI.
Candidates File for Municipal Elections

Candidates filed for municipal elections today. Elections will take place on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.