West Nile Disease is in All Mainland U.S. States: What to Know

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• West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States.
• Cases tend to be diagnosed in the summer and then continue into the fall months.
• A small percent of those with West Nile virus can experience severe neurological disease, including brain inflammation and paralysis.

While we’re all concerned about the COVID-19 pandemic and preparing for the coming flu season, there’s another disease that returns every year and could have severe consequences.

It’s called the West Nile virus, and one of the most common warm weather pests carries it: mosquitoes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the West Nile virus (WNV) is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States. Infections occur during the typical mosquito season, which starts in summer and continues through fall.