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First 2026 case of dangerous West Nile virus detected in NYC: officials
New York Post • • health
Key Points:
- A New Yorker has contracted the first reported human case of West Nile virus in the city this year, after spending time outdoors in New York and nearby areas.
- Mosquitoes carrying the virus have been found in all five boroughs since June, with nearly twice as many positive samples compared to last summer.
- Nationally, 222 human cases of West Nile virus have been reported, mainly in Arizona, California, and Texas, according to the CDC.
- Health officials urge residents to take precautions such as using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing at dawn and dusk, and eliminating standing water to reduce mosquito breeding.
- While most infected individuals show no symptoms, about 20% develop mild illness, and approximately 1 in 150 may suffer from severe neuroinvasive disease affecting the brain and spinal cord.
