1st Human Case Of West Nile In 2026 Strikes Rhode Island

The first human case of West Nile virus in 2026 has struck Rhode Island, the state revealed.

"The case is a Washington County resident in their 60s who had symptom onset in early September," the Rhode Island Departments of Health and Environmental Management said in a media release.

"This person has been recovering in the hospital and is expected to be released soon," the release said.

The positive test was confirmed last week at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to the release.

The infected person "had a history of travel to an area with active (West Nile virus) transmission," the release said.

"Based on the travel history, it is likely that the infection was acquired outside of Rhode Island," according to the release.

West Nile is the main mosquito-borne disease in the United States, the departments said in the media release, and there is no vaccine to prevent it.

About 20% of those infected with the virus "develop a fever and other symptoms," the release said.

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