The Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed that the first case of West Nile illness in the state for 2026 was detected in Harris County.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 6:20PMThe first human case of West Nile virus in Texas for 2026 has been confirmed in Harris County, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
DSHS said that health officials confirmed the Harris County resident was diagnosed with West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease. Historical statistics of West Nile virus in Harris County According to Harris County Public Health, mosquitoes are present in Harris County throughout the year, though activity typically increases during the warmer, summer months. Of the more than 50 mosquito species found locally, only a small number can transmit diseases like West Nile virus, HCPH said.
"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, MD, MPH, said. "By removing standing water around the home, people can eliminate mosquito breeding grounds and reduce insect populations in their area.
" According to HCPH officials, there were 10 reported human cases of West Nile virus in Harris County in 2025, while 45 cases were reported in 2024. Texas DSHS said that there have been 976 total West Nile cases reported in the state during the last five years.
During that span, there were 106 deaths in the state attributed to West Nile, officials said, adding that during that period, 2024 had the most recorded deaths at 57, while 2025 fatalities were the fewest at 9. Health officials explained that West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes, but roughly 80% of people infected with West Nile never experience symptoms.
Experts went on to say that roughly 20% will develop West Nile fever, with symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea, muscle and joint aches, and fatigue. Less than 1% will contract West Nile neuroinvasive disease, which is a more serious neurological illness that causes tremors, convulsions, neck stiffness, disorientation, paralysis, and even death, according to DSHS officials. Anyone experiencing concerning symptoms should contact their health care provider, experts said.
DSHS said that preventing West Nile illness begins by eliminating the breeding grounds of mosquitoes. Items that can hold still water should be removed, experts said, such as flowerpots, buckets, kiddie pools, dog bowls, toys, and clogged rain gutters; these items can hold water that offer mosquitoes a place to lay eggs and reproduce.
Texans should also strive to keep mosquitoes from entering a home by using air conditioning and making sure window and door screens are in good repair, DSHS said. Experts added that Texans should wear long-sleeved, loose-fitting shirts and pants, and socks, during the times of the day when mosquitoes are most active. Mosquito repellents with DEET or picaridin are also effective at preventing bites, health officials explained.
Experts said these precautions will also protect against other mosquito-borne viruses, like dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. While there is no vaccine against West Nile virus, health officials said a chikungunya vaccine is available for travelers to endemic regions, including some countries in the Caribbean, Central and South America, Africa, Asia, and the South Pacific.
Experts advised people traveling to endemic regions to ask their healthcare provider for more details and always take mosquito bite prevention steps when traveling to tropical and sub-tropical areas. Those same prevention measures should continue when you return to Texas, DSHS officials said, since it's possible that local mosquitoes can bite you and spread diseases to others in Texas.
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