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Health officials report New Mexico's first West Nile case of the year
The first case of mosquito-borne West Nile virus in 2025 has been confirmed in New Mexico, the state Department of Health said Thursday.
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A Valencia County resident who was hospitalized and discharged marks New Mexico’s first confirmed case of West Nile virus illness this year, state health officials reported Thursday.
The mosquito-borne illness also has been confirmed this year in three horses in New Mexico — two in Lea County and one in Eddy County, New Mexico Department of Health officials said.
New Mexico in 2024 had 27 cases of West Nile virus disease, a potentially deadly viral illness.
The state has averaged 32 cases a year of West Nile virus for the last five years. There are no medications to treat or vaccines to prevent West Nile virus infection in humans.
People can take several steps to minimize risk of infection. They include:
- Eliminating water-holding containers where mosquitoes lay their eggs, such as old tires, empty cans and other unneeded outdoor items that can hold water. Make sure windows and rain barrels are tightly screened.
- Draining the water in birdbaths, wading pools and saucers under potted plants weekly.
- Using mosquito repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, IR3535 and oil of lemon eucalyptus/para-menthane-diol.
Contact a health care provider if you have symptoms of West Nile fever, including headache, fever, muscle and joint aches, nausea and fatigue. Symptoms of West Nile neuroinvasive disease can include those of West Nile fever plus neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis.
