First Positive West Nile Virus Sample Confirmed in the 2026 Season

May 14, 2026 – (Tarrant County) – Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH) has confirmed the first mosquito samples to test positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) in Tarrant County this year. The samples were collected from the City of Fort Worth and City of Grand Prairie during routine county-wide mosquito surveillance.

This marks the beginning of the 2026 WNV season in Tarrant County. To date, 314 mosquito samples have been tested at TCPH's North Texas Regional Laboratory.

West Nile Virus activity typically increases from May through October as warmer weather leads to heightened mosquito activity. Local cities and Tarrant County unincorporated areas may perform mosquito treatment as needed.

West Nile Virus is commonly spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. While most people infected show no symptoms, about 1 in 5 may develop fever, headache, body aches, or joint pain. In rare cases, the virus can cause serious illness affecting the brain or nervous system. No human cases have been reported so far in the 2026 season.

TCPH urges residents to take simple, proactive steps to prevent mosquito bites and eliminate breeding sites around their homes by:

• Applying EPA-approved insect repellant when outdoors.
• Wearing loose fitting long sleeves and pants, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
• Removing or treating standing water around your home or property with larvicides like mosquito dunks.
• Staying indoors during peak mosquito activity hours, like dawn and dusk, when possible.

Find more information about West Nile Virus.

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