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Salt Lake County reports first West Nile virus case of 2026
KSL.com • • health
Key Points:
- Salt Lake County has reported its first human case of West Nile virus this year, with the infected adult expected to fully recover; this is Utah's second confirmed case this season.
- Mosquito abatement districts have detected the virus in 86 mosquito samples in Salt Lake County and 296 statewide, a significant increase compared to previous years.
- The health department urges the public to protect themselves by using EPA-registered repellents, wearing protective clothing, eliminating standing water, and maintaining clean yards and screens.
- Symptoms of West Nile virus can appear within 2 to 14 days after a mosquito bite and range from mild fever and aches to severe neurological complications, though less than 1% of cases develop the neuroinvasive form.
- Residents experiencing symptoms or suspecting infection are advised to contact healthcare providers promptly, as last year four Utahns died from neuroinvasive West Nile virus.
