The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has announced that the first Texan of 2026 to test positive for the mosquito-borne West Nile virus is in Harris County.
What is West Nile Virus?
According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, West Nile virus is mostly spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Positive cases in humans typically spike around the summer months when mosquito activity is highest.
Fortunately, many people who test positive for West Nile do not develop any symptoms. However, in those cases where they do, these are some of the most common to keep an eye out for:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Rashes
In some severe cases, West Nile can affect the central nervous system of people who are infected, causing confusion, tremors, and even death. Those who are older, have existing medical conditions like cancer and diabetes, or have a weakened immune system are at higher risk.
If humans show symptoms of West Nile virus, they will usually be noticeable between 2-6 days after an infected mosquito’s bite.
West Nile Cases in Texas
Over the past five years, there have been a total of 976 positive West Nile cases reported in Texas. A total of 106 people died from their symptoms, 57 of which were in 2024 alone.
Eliminating the Threat
The best way to reduce the risk of getting bitten by an infected mosquito is to avoid standing water around your house. This includes water buckets, flowerpots, kiddie pools, dog bowls, etc…