MEDIA CONTACT
Alycia Davis, (402) 471-1449,
alycia.davis@nebraska.gov
Lincoln, NE — Nebraska's first West Nile Virus (WNV) death during the 2026 mosquito season has been reported in Lancaster County. Over the past five years, Nebraska has seen an average of six WNV deaths per year.
WNV can affect anyone, but people age 50 and older, and those with weakened immune systems, are at greatest risk for severe illness. Most people infected do not develop symptoms, while about one in five develop fever and other mild symptoms. About one in 150 develops a serious, potentially fatal illness. Symptoms can include fever, headache, and body aches, while severe illness may cause confusion, paralysis, seizures, or coma. There is no vaccine or specific treatment for WNV.
Mosquito testing shows that WNV activity continues to increase across Nebraska and is now considered very high statewide, especially in eastern and central Nebraska.
DHHS encourages Nebraskans to follow these steps to avoid mosquito bites.
Use Insect Repellent
Use Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellents with one of the active ingredients below. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
- DEET
- Picaridin (known as KBR 3023)
- IR3535
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus
- Para-menthane-diol
- 2-undecanone
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants
Use 0.5 percent permethrin to treat clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents) or buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear. Permethrin is an insecticide that kills or repels mosquitoes. Do not use permethrin products directly on the skin.
Take extra precautions when going outdoors at dawn and dusk
Dawn and dusk are when mosquitoes are most active.
Take steps to control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors
- Use screens on windows and doors. Repair holes in screens to keep mosquitoes outdoors.
- Use air conditioning, if available.
- Stop mosquitoes from laying eggs in or near water.
- Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out items that hold water, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpots, or trash containers.
- Check for water-holding containers both indoors and outdoors.
More information about WNV and risk reduction is available at https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Mosquito-Borne-Disease-Prevention.aspx.
For vector-borne disease data and statistics, visit https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/West-Nile-Virus-Data.aspx.