The first human case of West Nile virus in Kentucky for 2025 was confirmed late last week.
Case Confirmed in Louisville
According to the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness, Kentucky’s first human case of West Nile virus for 2025 involves a Louisville resident. However, at this time, no additional information will be released regarding the individual. Fortunately, there have been no deaths connected to the virus reported in the Commonwealth so far in 2025.
West Nile Virus in Jefferson County
West Nile virus has been a recurring concern in Louisville and in Jefferson County as a whole. Only a handful of human cases are reported each year. 2024 brought one case and no deaths in the county. However, the year before, there were seven confirmed cases of the virus and two fatalities.
Symptoms and Risks
While the number of cases remains relatively low, health officials stress the importance of continued vigilance, as the virus has been present in Kentucky mosquitoes for years. Most people infected with the West Nile virus will never experience symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but when symptoms do occur, they often include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
…most people infected with West Nile virus do not feel sick. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. About 1 out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness. – CDC
Serious complications are rare, affecting less than one percent of those infected with the virus, but they can include severe neurological illnesses like encephalitis or meningitis. People over 60, and those with underlying medical conditions like diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, or weakened immune systems, are at a higher risk for developing serious illness.
How to Protect Yourself
Preventing mosquito bites remains the most effective way to reduce the risk of infection. Health experts recommend wearing long sleeves, pants, and socks when outdoors, especially during dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active. It is also recommended that you use EPA-registered insect repellents when spending time outdoors. Reducing mosquito breeding grounds by eliminating standing water around homes is also essential…