NYC reviews first West Nile case of the yr amid elevated mosquito exercise

The metropolis Health Department mentioned the contaminated individual lives in Manhattan and had hung out outside each within the metropolis and at a number of places exterior of the 5 boroughs. The division didn’t say whether or not the an infection occurred in NYC or elsewhere.

The case comes because the Health Department has recognized 1,284 mosquito swimming pools testing constructive for West Nile virus citywide this yr, together with 504 in Queens, 354 on Staten Island, 252 in Brooklyn, 123 within the Bronx and 51 in Manhattan. Earlier this month, division information confirmed 612 constructive swimming pools, in contrast with 326 on the identical level in 2025.

“West Nile virus is spread by mosquito bites and cannot spread from person to person. The good news is it’s preventable,” Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin mentioned in a press release Wednesday. “With mosquito season in full swing, we’re encouraging New Yorkers to take extra precautions to minimize the risk of mosquito bites.”

The human case follows a number of weeks of elevated mosquito-control efforts prompted by the division’s surveillance findings.

Since July, the Health Department mentioned Wednesday, it has carried out eight focused mosquito-control operations in neighborhoods the place West Nile-positive mosquito swimming pools have been detected, together with latest remedies in Queens, Staten Island and Brooklyn.

The division mentioned these operations sometimes cut back grownup mosquito populations by 70% and West Nile-positive mosquito swimming pools by greater than 85%.

Mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus are current in New York City annually from June via October, with exercise sometimes peaking in August and September, in accordance with the Health Department.

Most folks contaminated with the virus haven’t any signs, the division mentioned, whereas some might develop fever, headache, muscle aches, rash and fatigue.

About 1 in 150 contaminated folks can develop West Nile neuroinvasive illness, a severe and doubtlessly deadly sickness affecting the mind and spinal wire that may result in modifications in psychological standing and muscle weak point and require hospitalization, in accordance with the division. People 60 and older and people with weakened immune programs are at better threat of extreme sickness.

Health Department surveillance data present one case of West Nile neuroinvasive illness listed in Manhattan, the extra severe type of the an infection that impacts the mind and spinal wire. The division’s announcement didn’t present the individual’s age, present situation or whether or not they have been hospitalized. amNewYork is awaiting additional data.

Nationally, 222 human circumstances of West Nile virus have been reported up to now this yr, in accordance with CDC data, together with 76 in Arizona, 31 in Texas and 29 in California.

The Health Department is urging New Yorkers to make use of EPA-registered insect repellent, put on protecting clothes, restrict out of doors exercise round daybreak and nightfall and remove standing water the place mosquitoes can breed.