City of Long Beach Reports First Human Case of West Nile Virus This Year

• Extra Large
• Large
• Normal
• Small

PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA - The first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) this mosquito season has been confirmed in Long Beach. The person, in their 50s, was hospitalized and diagnosed with neuro-invasive illness, and is currently recovering. The last human case of WNV in Long Beach was reported in 2023.

As of Oct. 10, 2025, there have been 60 cases of WNV reported in California this year, including five deaths. This is a decrease compared to the same time last year, when 83 cases had been reported.

To date, the City has not detected any WNV positive mosquitoes in Long Beach as part of its mosquito surveillance and abatement efforts through the City's Vector Control Program.

WNV is transmitted through the bite of an infected Culexmosquito. Symptoms of WNV may include fever, body aches, rash, nausea, vomiting and headache. Most people infected have no symptoms; approximately one in 150 may develop more serious disease, such as brain inflammation, paralysis or death. People who are over 50 years old or have chronic health conditions are at higher risk for severe illness; people with these symptoms should seek immediate medical care. There is no vaccine or treatment for WNV.

The risk of WNV and other mosquito-borne diseases increase during hot weather. Public Health Physician Dr. Cliff Okada urges residents to take the following precautions:

• Prevent mosquito bites by applying insect repellent with EPA-registered active ingredients DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or lemon eucalyptus before going outside.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants if spending time outside during dawn and dusk. WNV-carrying mosquitoes are most active during those times.
• Install or repair door and window screens.
• Dump and drain standing water around your home.
• Report increased mosquito activity and learn more about mosquito prevention by visiting longbeach.gov/mosquitoes.
• Report dead birds online or call 877-WNV-BIRD (968-2473)

The Long Beach Health and Human Services Department's Vector Control Program, along with its partner agencies, Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District and Compton Creek Mosquito Abatement District, continue to treat areas with high populations of mosquitoes throughout the city daily. While these agencies are doing all they can to control the mosquito population, the public plays a critical role in reducing the mosquito population by taking the steps above.

For more information on how to protect yourself from mosquito bites, call the Mosquito Hotline at 562.570.4132. For more information on WNV, visit longbeach.gov/WNV and follow @LongBeachCity and @LBHealthDept on Instagram, Facebook and X.

Media inquiries may be directed to the Health Department's Public Affairs Office at [email protected]

For more news, pictures, videos and announcements of what's happening in Long Beach, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.