West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes in all five boroughs; Four people have been reported with West Nile virus disease
The Department of Health is treating parts of the city with mosquito activity; 10 adulticide spraying operations, three aerial larviciding operations, two rounds of catchment tank larviciding, and 1,634 ground larviciding operations have been completed to date.
August 19, 2024 — The Department of Health announced today that West Nile virus disease has been reported in four people living in New York City and that the virus has been detected in mosquito pools throughout all five boroughs. Mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus are typically present in New York City from May through October, with peak activity during August and September. Infected mosquitoes can transmit West Nile virus to people through a bite. The four people with West Nile virus disease reside in Queens and Manhattan; one has been diagnosed with West Nile fever and three have been hospitalized with neuroinvasive disease since late July. Additionally, the virus has been detected in blood donations from three people residing in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan. Reports of two people with possible West Nile virus disease from the Bronx are also under investigation.
“The Department of Health is actively working to prevent West Nile through public education, treatment of wetlands and mosquito spraying,” the department said. Dr. Ashwin Vasan, Commissioner for Health. “We all have a role to play in protecting ourselves and others. Using an EPA-registered insect repellent is a very important tool, especially when you are outdoors at dusk and dawn, when the types of mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus are most active. You can also prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs and breeding in water by emptying outdoor containers that hold water or calling 311 if you see standing water that you cannot empty.”
The Department of Health routinely traps and tests mosquitoes throughout New York City. Once trapped, up to 50 mosquitoes are grouped together and tested as a single pool. As of Friday, August 16, there have been a total of 1,286 positive mosquito clusters across the five boroughs, far exceeding the 569 positive clusters detected at this time last year.
For more information on West Nile virus or to report standing water, visit NYC Health: West Nile Virus or Call 311.
To read the full press release in English.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Patrick Gallahue / Shari Logan
PressOffice@health.nyc.gov
