Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus in Bernalillo County, New Mexico
核心洞察
Mosquitoes in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, have tested positive for West Nile virus (搜索), confirmed by the UNM Center for Global Health through routine surveillance.
No human cases have been reported in New Mexico so far in 2026, but last year saw 52 cases and 11 deaths statewide.
Approximately 80% of infected individuals remain asymptomatic, while adults over 60 and immunocompromised persons face the highest risk of severe neuroinvasive disease.
Mosquitoes collected in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, have tested positive for West Nile virus (搜索), the New Mexico Department of Health (搜索) (NMDOH) announced on June 23, 2026. The infected mosquitoes were captured via routine monitoring at locations near the Rio Grande, with molecular testing and confirmation performed by the University of New Mexico Center for Global Health (搜索). The finding raises the risk that residents in the area could contract the mosquito-borne illness as monsoon season approaches.
"We've been working with several partners statewide, including the City of Albuquerque, on trapping and testing for mosquito-borne illnesses as an early warning system to alert the public," said Erin Phipps, state public health veterinarian for NMDOH. "We are urging residents to take precautions now to avoid mosquito bites in Bernalillo County and statewide."
A Persistent Seasonal Threat
West Nile virus (搜索) is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in New Mexico. The virus spreads through the bite of an infected Culex mosquito, which typically contracts the virus by feeding on infected birds. Humans cannot transmit the virus to other humans.
DJ Perkins, PhD, founder and director of the UNM Center for Global Health and a distinguished professor at the UNM School of Medicine, emphasized that the virus is an enduring public health challenge. "West Nile virus (搜索) is not just a problem this year; it is something we face every mosquito season," Perkins said.
No human cases of West Nile virus (搜索) have been reported in New Mexico so far in 2026. However, last year the state recorded 52 cases of West Nile disease and 11 deaths, according to NMDOH data.
Clinical Presentation and Risk Factors
The clinical spectrum of West Nile virus (搜索) infection varies considerably. "About 80% of infected people develop no symptoms at all and are thus asymptomatic," Perkins noted. "The reported cases are largely the tip of the iceberg because the more severe illnesses are the ones that come to medical attention."
Mild symptomatic cases typically present with flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, fatigue, body aches, and occasionally rash. Severe cases can involve the central nervous system, manifesting as confusion, stiff neck, weakness, seizures, and paralysis, sometimes leading to hospitalization or death.
Age is among the most significant risk factors for severe disease. "Adults over 60 and people with weakened immune systems are much more likely to develop serious neurological disease from West Nile infection," Perkins said. The NMDOH similarly identifies people aged 50 years and older and those with other health issues as being at higher risk of serious illness or death.
Treatment Limitations and Supportive Care
Currently, no antiviral medicines exist to treat West Nile infection, no vaccines are available for prevention, and antibiotics are ineffective against the viral illness. "Medical care focuses on treating the symptoms and supporting the patient while their immune system fights off the infection," Perkins explained.
For mild infections, symptoms can typically be managed with over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen for fever, pain, and headaches, along with rest and adequate hydration. Severe cases may require hospitalization for supportive care.
Prevention and Mosquito Surveillance
With no pharmaceutical interventions available, prevention hinges on avoiding mosquito bites. Perkins recommends the "four D's" approach: using DEET or EPA-approved repellents; dressing in long sleeves and pants outdoors when practical; draining any standing water around the home; and limiting outdoor activity during dusk and dawn, when Culex mosquitoes are most active.
The UNM Center for Global Health operates a statewide molecular mosquito surveillance program in close collaboration with NMDOH and local mosquito control programs. Ivy Hurwitz, PhD, research professor of medicine at the UNM School of Medicine and a leading investigator on the surveillance work, highlighted the program's proactive value.
"This is a more preventative way to react to the virus and be proactive instead of reactive to an infectious disease," Hurwitz said. "Historically, infected mosquitoes are detected before the community starts seeing human cases, making mosquito surveillance one of the most effective tools for protecting public health."
Surveillance traps are set weekly at selected locations on the UNM campus and around Albuquerque by the City Division of Urban Biology. Mosquitoes from across New Mexico are shipped to the Center for Global Health labs for molecular testing.
Nick Pederson, Urban Biology division manager for the City of Albuquerque, noted that while mosquitoes are not currently widespread due to dry conditions, they remain concentrated in wet areas. "As we enter the monsoon season, we are asking residents to check their yards and neighborhoods for standing water that could become a mosquito breeding source," Pederson said.
"Public health works best when everyone contributes," Hurwitz added, underscoring the importance of continued research, community partnerships, public awareness, and individual caution in reducing West Nile virus (搜索) cases and preventing severe disease.