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Cases of West Nile virus soar in NYC, surpassing total number in 2025
nypost.com • • health
Key Points:
- New York City has reported over 30 West Nile virus cases in 2026, surpassing the total of 18 cases recorded in 2025, with Brooklyn having the highest number at 11 cases.
- Of the 30 cases, 24 are severe neuroinvasive disease types, while six are milder West Nile fever cases, indicating many infected individuals may not seek medical care due to mild or no symptoms.
- The city has seen a record number of over 1,700 positive mosquito samples this year, up from around 1,300 last year, attributed to warmer temperatures and increased rainfall that boost mosquito populations.
- Health officials note that warmer and longer seasons accelerate mosquito life cycles and viral replication, increasing the risk of transmission, and the city continues to monitor and apply pesticides to control mosquito populations.
- West Nile virus has been present in NYC for over 25 years, with most infected people showing no symptoms; severe cases are more likely to be diagnosed as those patients require hospitalization.
