West Nile virus cases hit 22-year spike. Here's where activity is highest in US
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Comments: by Addy Bink - 07/02/26 1:33 PM ET Comments: Link copied by Addy Bink - 07/02/26 1:33 PM ET Comments: Link copied NOW PLAYING (NEXSTAR) — You may be gearing up for a long weekend of outdoor activities, but between the increased tick activity and a new mosquito warning from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you may want to prepare for unfortunate bug encounters as well.
Typically, through the end of June, the CDC receives about 10 reports of human West Nile virus cases. Through June this year, there have been at least 48 cases of West Nile virus reported. Of those, nearly 40 have been severe neuroinvasive disease, considered the most severe form of the infection.
“This surge is driven by early circulation of the virus, with 23 states reporting West Nile virus activity – also the highest number recorded over the last 10 years,” the CDC said. Data from the agency shows 12 states have reported human cases of West Nile virus so far this year, though the tally of cases may be underreported, as most people who become infected recover on their own. It’s among residents of Arizona that cases are the highest.
Through June, the state has seen 32 cases of West Nile virus, eight times as many as the next state, Texas, with four cases. At least one resident from 10 other states – Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Tennessee – has been diagnosed with West Nile. (The CDC’s tracking reports cases based on state of residence.) Mississippi reported its first human case of West Nile of the year on Wednesday, according to Nexstar’s WJTV.
Non-human West Nile virus activity has also been reported in Washington, Utah, Nevada, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, and Virginia. Mosquito pools in Nevada, Texas, and Tennessee have tested positive for the virus, local health officials announced this week. Several samples collected throughout southern California have also tested positive.
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