New York City health officials said the city has detected its first human case of West Nile Virus in 2026.
The individual lives in the five boroughs and reportedly contracted the mosquito-borne illness after being outdoors at several locations outside the city and within city limits.
“Mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus are present in New York City every year from June through October, with peak activity typically during August and September,” the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene stated.
A person who lives in NYC has contracted West Nile virus after spending time outdoors in areas in New York City and several locations outside the city. With peak mosquito season here, New Yorkers should take precautions to prevent mosquito bites: https://t.co/iVFU9J5TvP pic.twitter.com/17uE8HuGgl
— nychealthy (@nycHealthy) August 19, 2026
CBS News shared further:
The health department tests for infected mosquitoes by collecting the insects from hundreds of locations across the city. According to the health department, nearly twice as many sample groups of mosquitoes tested positive for West Nile virus this year compared to the same time last year.
The virus has been detected in mosquitoes across all five boroughs since June, health officials say, and targeted mosquito control operations have been conducted in some neighborhoods where the virus was detected.
Meanwhile, the city will conduct its next round of spraying for mosquitoes in the Bronx and Queens.
Mosquito pools have tested positive for West Nile virus citywide over the last few weeks; however, there has been only one case in NYC this season.
Click for details: https://t.co/4J3LZri6vP pic.twitter.com/8K4JvtnIlB
— PIX11 News (@PIX11News) August 21, 2026
PIX11 has more:
Spraying in Queens will take place between 8:30 p.m. on Monday and 6 a.m. on Tuesday. Spraying in the Bronx will happen between 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday and 6 a.m. on Thursday.
Spraying will be conducted in the following zip codes:
Bronx: 10464, 10475, 10469, 10462, 10461, 10473, 10465
Queens: 11433, 11412, 11436, 11434, 11413, 11422
“Mosquito control starts with knowing where mosquito activity is increasing,” said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin. “Our surveillance helps us make those decisions and target treatments where they are needed to reduce the risk of West Nile Virus and protect New Yorkers.”
West Nile virus is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito and can cause fever, headaches, tiredness/weakness, body aches and joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and rash.
Symptoms can occur up to 14 days after a bite from an infected mosquito.
During the summer, the New York City Health Department conducts spraying in an effort to control mosquito populations and to curb the spread of the West Nile virus.
