MCPHD Confirms First Case of West Nile Virus for 2025

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX -- The Montgomery County Public Health District has received confirmation from the Texas Department of State Health Services of the first case of West Nile Virus in Montgomery County for 2025. The man, who is in his 60s, was hospitalized but has since made a full recovery. He resides in the 77357 zip code of Montgomery County.

Mosquito season started in May and typically lasts until the end of October. According to the CDC, the most effective way to avoid West Nile virus is to prevent mosquito bites. Avoid bites by using insect repellants, wearing protective clothing when outdoors and emptying standing water outside of your home.

West Nile virus can cause serious disease and is most commonly spread by infected mosquitoes. People typically develop symptoms between 3 and 14 days after they are bitten. According to the CDC, approximately 80 percent of people who are infected will not show any symptoms at all, but there is no way to know in advance if you will develop the illness.

Milder symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and, sometimes, swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. These symptoms can last up to several weeks. Serious symptoms that account for less than 1% of those infected can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, seizures or paralysis. These symptoms can last for several weeks and neurological effects may be permanent.

If you develop symptoms of severe WNV illness, such as unusually severe headaches or confusion, seek medical attention immediately. The majority of milder WNV illnesses improve on their own.

For more information on WNV, please visit the CDC at http://www.cdc.gov/westnile/index.html.

Our partners at The Woodlands Township and Montgomery County Mosquito Control both conduct trapping and surveillance of mosquitoes for disease. Mosquito species collected are identified and tested for mosquito-borne diseases, like West Nile Virus. The Montgomery County Mosquito Control Program surveys areas of where positive samples are found to look for any mosquito breeding sites in the county right-of-way on public property, and conducts treatment activities.

If you are concerned about any mosquito issues, you may call Montgomery County Mosquito Control at 281-364-4203 and help identify sources of mosquitos in the local area, including your property.

For additional information on The Woodlands Township Mosquito Surveillance, visit https://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/Departments/Environmental-Services/Mosquito-Information.

For additional information on Montgomery County Mosquito Control Program, visit https://www.mctx.org/mosquito.

Montgomery County Mosquito Control’s Treatment map can be found here: https://moco.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/307791b931114517a37e906c3471610e.

Montgomery County Public Health District’s mission is promoting a healthy, resilient community through health education, disease prevention, clinical services, and emergency preparedness. For more information about the Montgomery County Public Health District, please go to www.mcphd-tx.org.