The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) confirmed last month the first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) in Nebraska for the 2026 season. The case was identified within the North Central District Health Department jurisdiction.
DHHS is urging Nebraskans to take precautions to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites as WNV activity increases during the summer months.
WNV is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the United States, and Nebraska has historically experienced higher levels of WNV activity than many other states. The virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito that acquired the virus after feeding on an infected bird. WNV is not spread directly from sick or dead birds to humans and people cannot get the virus from sick or dead birds.
