Nebraska’s first West Nile Virus (WNV) death during the 2026 mosquito season has been reported in Lancaster County. Over the past five years, Nebraska has seen an average of six WNV deaths per year.
WNV can affect anyone, but people age 50 and older, and those with weakened immune systems, are at greatest risk for severe illness.
Most people infected do not develop symptoms, while about one in five develop fever and other mild symptoms.
About one in 150 develops a serious, potentially fatal illness. Symptoms can include fever, headache, and body aches, while severe illness may cause confusion, paralysis, seizures, or coma. There is no vaccine or specific treatment for WNV.
Mosquito testing shows that WNV activity continues to increase across Nebraska and is now considered very high statewide, …