Two more West Nile cases confirmed in El Paso involve patients in their 70s, officials say
Fri, July 24, 2026 at 8:43 PM
UpdatedFri, July 24, 2026 at 8:44 PM
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LOUISVILLE, KY – AUGUST 25: Matthew Vanderpool, environmental health specialist and entomologist for the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness, displays a mosquito collected earlier in the day on August 25, 2021 in Louisville, Kentucky. Vanderpool specializes in mosquito control, a public health process that involves placing traps to collect specimen, identifying various mosquito species, and testing the samples for mosquito-borne diseases. Lab technologists test for Saint Louis encephalitis, West Nile virus, La Crosse encephalitis, and Eastern equine encephalitis.(Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) —Two more El Pasoans have been diagnosed with severe West Nile virus illness, prompting health officials to again urge residents to take steps to prevent mosquito bites and eliminate standing water
The City of El Paso Department of Public Health confirmed the two additional severe cases, bringing the total number of severe cases reported in El Paso this year to four
According to El Paso health officials, the latest cases involve a woman in her 70s and a man in his 70s, both of whom have underlying medical conditions
“West Nile virus continues to pose a serious health risk, particularly for older adults and individuals with underlying medical conditions,” said City-County Health Authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza. “While most people infected with the virus never develop symptoms, severe cases can result in life-threatening neurological complications. We encourage everyone to take simple precautions to reduce mosquito bites and eliminate standing water around their homes.”
Most people infected with West Nile virus do not become sick, according to the department. About 80 percent never develop symptoms. About 20 percent develop West Nile fever, a mild illness that may include fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, nausea, vomiting, or a rash. About 1 in 150 infected people develop severe neurological illness affecting the brain or spinal cord, and about 10 percent of those severe cases are fatal
Adults 60 and older and people with certain underlying medical conditions — including cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, or weakened immune systems are at greater risk of developing severe illness
Health officials encouraged residents to follow the “Four Ds” to help prevent mosquito bites:
– DEET: Use insect repellents that contain DEET when outdoors
– DRESS: Wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors
– DUSK & DAWN: Residents should take extra care during peak mosquito biting hours from dusk to dawn or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times
– DRAIN: Drain standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes and birdbaths, and after rains or lawn watering “tip and toss” any standing water found outside
Residents are also encouraged to install or repair window and door screens to help keep mosquitoes outside
Standing water or potential mosquito breeding sites can be reported by calling 311 or (915) 212-6000
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