Manhattan Resident is 1st West Nile Virus Case in City This Year
The City Health Department is urging residents to take precautions at dawn and dusk when mosquitos are most active and eliminate standing water that serves as a breeding ground.
| 24 Aug 2026 | 03:16
An Aug. 21 map displaying positive detections of West Nile virus in mosquitoes across the five boroughs. The first positive case of the virus in a human this year was detected in Manhattan. (
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In this photo provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a female Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito, also known as the southern house mosquito, sits on a person’s skin before taking a blood meal. (
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A resident of Manhattan has become the first West Nile virus case detected within the five boroughs this year, the City Department of Health confirmed to Straus News.
Nationally, there have been 222 human cases of West Nile virus so far this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), primarily in Arizona, Texas, and California. The Health Dept. said the first case in the city was detected on Aug. 19.
The resident reportedly contracted the virus after spending time outdoors in areas in New York City and several locations outside the city.
“West Nile virus is spread by mosquito bites and cannot spread from person to person. The good news is it’s preventable. With mosquito season in full swing, we’re encouraging New Yorkers to take extra precautions to minimize the risk of mosquito bites,” Dr. Alister F. Martin, NYC Health Commissioner, said. “The steps to protect yourself are simple: wear insect repellent, cover up during dawn and dusk, and get rid of standing water around your home. All New Yorkers should take these precautions seriously, especially older New Yorkers and those with a weakened immune system.”
The virus spreads through the bite of an infected mosquito, but cannot spread person to person. Though people infected with the virus typically show no symptoms, some can develop fevers and headaches as a result of infection—while 1 in 150 develop a serious, potentially fatal, brain and spinal chord disease as a result of the virus called West Nile neuroinvasive disease. The risk of severe illness increases with age, according to the City Health Department though most people infected are able to make a full recovery.
The Health Department expanded mosquito surveillance and control (spraying local parks with pesticides) earlier this summer, due to detection rates of positive West Nile mosquito pools almost doubling from last year across the five boroughs: 612 pools this year vs. 326 pools in 2025 out of 2,040 tested in total.
To protect against West Nile virus, the Health Dept. encourages residents to take precautions including limiting time outdoors during dusk/dawn and using an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
Homeowners are required to remove all standing water from their property. “Mosquitoes are more than an annoyance,” the Health Dept. warns. “They can spread disease. Mosquitoes need water to lay their eggs. Even very small amounts of water, in a space as small as a bottle cap, can serve as a breeding ground.”
Residents are urged to turn over wading pools when not in use and dump and clean saucers under potted plants every three or four days. The Health Dept checklist of precautions also advises residents to make sure air conditioners are draining and not collecting beneath the unit and urges pet owners to clean pet dishes twice a week.
Mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus typically peak during August and September.