Tarrant County Public Health officials announced Thursday that mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile virus have been detected in Fort Worth and Grand Prairie, marking the official start of the 2026 West Nile virus season in the county.
The positive samples were collected during routine county-wide mosquito surveillance. As of the announcement, the agency’s North Texas Regional Laboratory had tested 314 mosquito samples this year. No human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Tarrant County so far in 2026.
West Nile virus is the leading mosquito-borne disease in the United States and spreads to people through the bite of infected mosquitoes, primarily the Culex species. In North Texas, the virus is most active from May through October as warmer weather increases mosquito populations.
Most people infected with West Nile virus show no symptoms. About one in five develop mild illness such as fever, headache, body aches or joint pain. In fewer than 1 percent of cases, the virus can cause serious neurological complications that may require hospitalization.
There is no vaccine or specific treatment available for West Nile virus infection in people.
Tarrant County Public Health is urging residents to take basic precautions to protect themselves and prevent mosquitoes from breeding near homes. Recommended steps include applying an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, wearing loose-fitting long sleeves and pants when outdoors, emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets, birdbaths and other containers, and staying indoors during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
The agency will continue routine surveillance and testing throughout the season. Residents can call the Vector Information Hotline at 817-321-4709 with questions.
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