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GRAND ISLAND — The Central District Health Department reported that the first human case of West Nile Virus was detected within their three county area.
The Central District Health Department serves Hall, Hamilton, and Merrick counties.
West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the United States. Transmission of West Nile virus occurs through the bite of a mosquito that has acquired the virus by feeding on an infected bird. In turn, the mosquito passes the virus to humans. You cannot get West Nile virus from a dead bird.
“Since there is no vaccine or specific medicine to treat West Nile virus, the best thing the public can do to protect themselves from West Nile virus is to avoid mosquitoes and take preventive measures to keep themselves and their loved ones safe,” said Dr. Timothy Tesmer, Chief Medical Officer for Nebraska DHHS.
The first reported human West Nile virus detection for the 2024 season was reported in Douglas County Health District through the routine screening of blood donations.
The first case of West Nile Virus in Nebraska was reported in 2002.
In 2023, there were 150 clinical cases of West Nile Virus reported in Nebraska. 91 cases were neuroinvasive and 56 were non-neuroinvasive. This was an increase from the 64 total cases reported in 2022 (37 neuroinvasive, 27 non-neuroinvasive).
It is important to note that for every neuroinvasive case of West Nile Virus, there is an estimated 30-70 non-neuroinvasive cases so the number of total cases in the state is likely much higher.
