A man in Baytown recently contracted West Nile virus, the first human case in the Houston area this year, according to local health officials.
Last year there were 57 human cases of West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne disease, in Harris County. There were three related deaths in 2024 – one in Houston and two elsewhere in the county – according to Harris County Public Health.
The man who contracted the disease, who lives in Baytown, has made a full recovery, according to the health department.
"The confirmation of the first human case of West Nile virus in our community serves as an important reminder that mosquito-borne diseases are a serious threat in our area," Dr. Ericka Brown, the county government's local health authority, said in a Friday news release.
West Nile virus cases in the Houston area typically peak in the summer months, according to the health department.
Dr. Courtney Standlee, the interim director of the health department's Mosquito and Vector Control Division, said earlier this week, the department collected 252,000 female mosquitoes so far this year in an effort to detect mosquito-borne diseases. In the field, inspectors set traps across Harris County to collect and test mosquitoes for a variety of viruses, including West Nile, Zika and dengue.
Last month, Harris County Public Health reported that a mosquito sample had tested positive for West Nile virus for the first time this year.
The health department offers the following guidance for limiting the mosquito population:
- Tip – Empty standing water from containers like flowerpots, buckets, toys, birdbaths and tires. Mosquitoes lay eggs in still water.
- Toss – Throw away unused items that can collect water.
- Take action – Wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors, use insect repellent approved by the EPA, and make sure window and door screens are in good shape.
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