2 People In NYC Diagnosed With West Nile Virus, Health Officials Say

NEW YORK CITY — Two New Yorkers have been diagnosed with West Nile virus, marking the first human cases in New York City this year, city health officials announced.

Mosquitoes with the virus have been detected citywide since July. Both patients are from Queens, with one individual briefly hospitalized, and another currently hospitalized with encephalitis, an infection in the brain.

In addition, the virus was detected in blood donations from two individuals, one a resident of Brooklyn, the other of Staten Island. Recent reports of two more individuals, both from Brooklyn, with possible West Nile virus disease are under investigation.

“West Nile virus can cause serious illness, especially among people over 55 and with weakened immune systems,” Acting Health Commissioner Michelle Morse said. “The Health Department’s vector surveillance and control program helps identify and reduce our risk, but there are simple things you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones. Use an EPA-registered repellent and wear long sleeve shirts and pants — especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes that transmit the virus are active. Eliminate standing water, so mosquitoes can’t breed, and make sure you have intact screens on your doors and windows. The virus has been detected in mosquitoes across the city — visit the online map.”

Most people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms, though some may develop fever along with headache, muscle aches, rash, and extreme fatigue, officials said.

About 1 in 150 people, especially those 55 years and older or with a weakened immune system, can develop a serious and potentially fatal illness of the brain and spinal cord called West Nile microinvasive disease, leading to changes in mental status and muscle weakness requiring hospitalization.

According to health officials, from 2022-2024, 31 people in New York City were diagnosed with the virus.

Reducing Exposure to Mosquitoes

• Use an EPA-approved insect repellent containing picaridin, DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus (not for children under three), or products that contain the active ingredient IR3535.
• Wear longs pants, long sleeve shirts, and socks, in addition to using repellent, especially during dawn and dusk.
• People with severely compromised immune systems should avoid going outdoors during dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus are active and bite.
• Make sure windows have screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.
• Eliminate any standing water from your property and dispose of containers that can collect water. Standing water is a violation of the New York City Health Code.
• Make sure roof gutters are clean and drained properly.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools and outdoor saunas and hot tubs. Keep them empty or covered if not in use. Drain water that collects in pool covers.