El Paso reports first West Nile virus death 2026
Fri, August 21, 2026 at 7:14 PM
UpdatedFri, August 21, 2026 at 7:14 PM
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FILE – Palm Beach and Miami-Dade health officials issued alerts Monday to increase personal mosquito protection after locally transmitted dengue fever cases were confirmed in both counties. Dengue fever is transmitted by the same type of daytime-biting mosquito that spreads other viral infections, including chikungunya. This is peak season for dengue cases, with July through September the highest-risk window of the year. (Photo by Tom Ervin/Getty Images)
EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) —The City of El Paso confirms one man in his 50s with underlying health conditions died from neuroinvasive West Nile virus, the first in 2026
As a result, El Paso authorities are urging people to be alert and take protective measures
“The Severe Central Nervous System West Nile Virus disease is extremely dangerous and can lead to potential complications, disability or even death,”” City-County Health Authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza said. “With the recent rain, it is imperative that the public take precautions to decrease the risk of getting infected with WNV by practicing the four Ds to prevent mosquito bites.”
West Nile virus is transmitted to humans through bites from infected mosquitoes, which become carriers after feeding on infected birds. Symptoms may include fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and swollen lymph nodes
RECOMMENDED:Two more West Nile cases confirmed in El Paso involve patients in their 70s, officials say
Health officials are asking people to “fight the bite” by taking the following four prevention steps:
- DEET: Use insect repellents that contain DEET when outdoors.
- DRESS: Wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors.
- DUSK & DAWN: Although mosquitoes associated with West Nile virus can be active throughout the day, 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. After rains or lawn watering, residents should “tip and toss” any standing water they find outside.
Officials said eight out of 10 people infected with West Nile virus will not develop symptoms. However, 1 in 5 infected people develop West Nile fever, which includes a fever and other symptoms such as body aches, joint pain, headache, or a rash
About 1 out of 150 infected people develop severe illness affecting the central nervous system, and about 1 out of 10 cases of severe illness are fatal
People can report standing water and mosquito breeding by calling 915-212-6000 or 311
RECOMMENDED:Rainstorms spur mosquito spike across El Paso; residents urged to drain standing water
Back on July 24, four severe cases of the virus had been reported in El Paso, with two involving people in their 70s and also with underlying health conditions
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