West Nile Virus Confirmed in New York: First Human Cases Reported in 2025

New York State health officials have confirmed the first human cases of West Nile virus for 2025. According to the New York State Department of Health, two cases have been reported so far this year: one in Erie County and another in Onondaga County.

These are the first confirmed human infections with West Nile virus in New York this year. In addition to the human cases, several pools of mosquitoes across the state have tested positive for the virus.

Positive mosquito samples have been identified in Rockland County, Suffolk County, and multiple boroughs of New York City.

West Nile Virus, which is primarily spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito, can lead to serious health consequences.

While many individuals infected with the virus do not experience symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about 1 in 5 people will develop symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash.

Fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or even months after the initial illness.

In more severe cases, approximately 1 in 150 infected people develop serious neurological illnesses such as encephalitis or meningitis. These serious infections can result in high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, seizures, or paralysis.

Older adults and individuals with certain medical conditions are at greater risk for developing severe disease. The CDC reports that around 100 to 200 deaths are caused by West Nile virus annually in the United States.

There is currently no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment available for West Nile virus.

Medical care is limited to managing symptoms, which may include hospitalization for more serious cases to provide supportive care such as intravenous fluids and pain management.

West Nile Virus Confirmed in New York: First Human Cases Reported in 2025