HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — The Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed Tuesday the first human case of West Nile virus in Texas this year, prompting health officials to urge residents to take precautions against mosquito bites.
The state health agency said the case was reported in Harris County. Officials also identified mosquito pools that tested positive for the virus in six other Texas counties: Bexar County, Brazoria County, Dallas County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County and Tarrant County. Harris County also reported a mosquito pool that tested positive for the virus.
The Texas Department of State Health Services said mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile virus, commonly appear in Texas during warmer months.
“West Nile and other mosquito-borne illnesses are a fact of life in Texas in the warmer months, and all Texans should take precautions against mosquito bites to stay safe and healthy,” DSHS Commissioner Jennifer A. Shuford said in a statement.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 2,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with West Nile virus each year, though most infected individuals do not show symptoms.
The CDC said mild symptoms may include fever, headaches, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea and rash. Severe cases can lead to tremors, muscle weakness, paralysis, vision loss, convulsions or coma.
State health officials said about 80% of infected Texans experience no symptoms, while around 30% develop mild symptoms. Less than 1% develop severe illness.
The health department reported 976 West Nile cases and 106 deaths in Texas over the past five years. The highest number of deaths occurred in 2024, when 57 fatalities were recorded. Last year, the state reported nine deaths linked to the virus.
Health officials advised residents to remove standing water from areas such as flowerpots, buckets, pet bowls, kiddie pools and clogged gutters to reduce mosquito breeding grounds.
Officials also recommended using insect repellents containing DEET and wearing long-sleeved shirts, pants and socks outdoors to reduce the risk of mosquito bites.