36 People Infected with West Nile Virus

The leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States is spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito and has recently begun to spread in 2023.

Fortunately, most people infected with West Nile virus (WNV) do not feel sick, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

However, about 1 out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.

As of July 11, 2023, the CDC reported ten states have reported 36 human cases of WNV this year. So far, 23 neuroinvasive infections have been reported. 

Not reported by the CDC was a WNV case confirmed in Dallas, Texas, during July 2023.

Arizona has the most WNV cases, with 25 reported in 2023. In 2021, Arizona reported over 1,700 WNV cases.

In 2022, there were 1,126 WNV cases, including 90 deaths in the U.S.

"It's important for people to be aware that there are many diseases transmitted by mosquitoes found in Texas," said Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner Jennifer Shuford, MD, MPH, in a related press release.

"Most of these (WNV) diseases cause mild illness, but in rare instances, diseases like dengue or Zika can cause severe illness."

"We've even had a locally acquired malaria case in Texas this year, which underscores the importance of taking precautions to prevent mosquito bites."

There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat WNV in people as of July 14, 2023.