NYC mosquito tests show West Nile virus nearly double last year's levels

City health officials report that mosquito pools testing positive for West Nile virus this summer are almost twice as many as the previous year, though no human cases have been recorded.

According to the NYC Health Department, 612 mosquito pools tested positive for West Nile virus by July 25, representing nearly twice the figure recorded at the same time last year. The testing covered over 2,000 groups collected throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Staten Island and Queens. In response, the department expanded its surveillance network, deploying extra traps and completing four focused control actions that lowered adult mosquito populations by roughly 70% and cut infected pool counts by more than 85%.

The virus was detected in all boroughs, with Staten Island and Queens experiencing the greatest prevalence. Despite the rise in infected mosquitoes, no New Yorkers have reported illness this season, though cases typically rise from mid-July onward. Health officials, led by Dr. Alister F. Martin, advise residents—particularly older adults and immunocompromised individuals—to avoid outdoor activity at dawn and dusk, wear long sleeves, and use EPA-registered repellents.