BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has confirmed the first human case of West Nile virus this season. The individual, a Cass County resident, was hospitalized. There is risk of contracting this disease anytime mosquitoes are active, so it is important to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites.
HHS recommends residents take these precautions to avoid mosquito bites:
- Use insect repellent registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that contain ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, PMD, 2-undecanone, and permethrin (clothing only). Always follow the directions on the manufacturer’s label for safe and effective use. Apply sunscreen first, then repellent.
- Wear protective clothing outdoors, such as long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks.
- Limit outdoor activities between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes that can carry WNV are most likely to bite.
- Eliminate stagnant water in containers around homes where mosquitoes can lay eggs (e.g., gutters, buckets, flowerpots, old tires, wading pools and birdbaths).
- Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out of your residence.
- Maintain a well-trimmed yard and landscape around your home.
Most people infected with West Nile virus experience no symptoms. Those who develop symptoms will commonly report fever, headache, body or joint aches, or rash. People who develop severe illness may experience stiff neck, altered mental status, paralysis, coma, or possibly death. People over 60 or those with underlying health issues are at greater risk for developing West Nile neuroinvasive disease.
So far in 2026, five counties have reported mosquito pools positive for West Nile virus: Cass, Grand Forks, Richland, Ward and Williams. Additionally, one animal in Sioux County and a bird in Richland County have tested positive for the virus.
For more information, go to hhs.nd.gov/wnv.