A biting downside: Twice as many NYC mosquito swimming pools testing optimistic for harmful West Nile virus this summer time, well being officers say

As of July 6, no confirmed human instances of the mosquito-transmitted virus have been reported to metropolis well being officers, however the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) urged New Yorkers to take precautionary steps to guard themselves and their family members towards bites, in accordance with an announcement.

Since West Nile Virus was first detected within the United States in 1999 in NYC, the median age of individuals contaminated with documented instances within the metropolis is round 65 years outdated, in accordance with city health data. NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin stated in an announcement that those that are most in danger to an infection must be defending themselves towards publicity.

“Now is the time for every New Yorker, especially older adults and people with weakened immune systems, to take simple precautions to prevent mosquito bites,” Martin stated.

Many people contaminated with West Nile virus, round 80%, by no means present any discernible signs, in accordance with Dr. Anna Durbin, a professor of International Health, specializing in epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University. But some instances can turn into gentle fever, physique aches, and nausea and even probably extreme or life-threatening neurological irritation like encephalitis or meningitis.

How can New Yorkers cease contaminated mosquitoes from biting them?

To forestall an infection, the town’s well being company advisable lowering the danger of bites by utilizing EPA-registered repellents, sporting protecting clothes, and avoiding outside actions round daybreak and nightfall, when mosquitoes that transmit the virus are notably lively.

The DOHMH additionally requested New Yorkers to do their half by lowering the alternatives for mosquitoes to breed within the metropolis. Mosquitoes want stagnant or standing water to reproduce, in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency, which means that exterior of pure sources, swimming pools of water in flowerpots, chicken baths, tarps or another floor that may maintain water after a rain or flood, can turn into a possible breeding floor for mosquitoes and West Nile virus carriers.

Residents must be cautious to right away empty all sources of standing water and report different sources of standing water on non-public or public property to 311, well being officers stated.

The metropolis conducts annual surveillance of mosquito activity, testing teams of trapped mosquitoes referred to as “pools” for the presence of West Nile virus. So far, out of two,040 swimming pools examined, West Nile virus was detected in 612 throughout the town, in contrast with 326 by the identical time in 2025.

Health officers stated that the town takes motion to regulate the infected mosquito population by spraying an environmentally pleasant insecticide designed to kill mosquito larvae throughout nonresidential areas and concentrating on grownup mosquitoes in residential neighborhoods with pesticides deployed from vehicles.

Martin stated that the town’s system allowed it to preemptively notify the general public and take motion.

“The detection of West Nile virus in mosquitoes demonstrates that New York City’s mosquito surveillance system is working exactly as intended,” stated Martin. “Our system allows us to identify where the virus is circulating early and take targeted action to reduce mosquito populations before more people are at risk.”