West Nile virus case confirmed in McLennan County

WACO, Texas ( FOX 44 ) — Waco-McLennan Public Health has confirmed one case of West Nile virus in McLennan County.

The Health District says this is the first case since 2020. It is investigating and will follow established monitoring protocols. The person is an adult male McLennan County resident with no known travel history.

West Nile Virus is primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. The Health District says while most people infected with the virus do not experience symptoms, some may develop mild flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches or rash. In rare cases, particularly among the elderly and individuals with weakened immune systems, the virus can lead to more severe neurological illnesses, including encephalitis or meningitis.

The Health District also recommends the following preventive measures:

• Use EPA-registered insect repellents.
• Wear long sleeves and pants, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
• Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes outside.
• Eliminate standing water in gutters, flowerpots, bird baths, and other areas where mosquitoes can breed.

Residents are encouraged to report any areas of stagnant water which have been present for a week or longer, as these can be indicators of increased mosquito activity, by calling the Health District at (254)750-5464. If you are a resident living within the Waco City limits, you can report standing water through the MyWaco app.

For more information about West Nile Virus and mosquito prevention, you can visit waco-texas.com/mosquitoes . For more information about Waco-McLennan Public Health, you can visit wacomclennanphd.org .

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