A Galveston County resident is hospitalized with the most severe form of West Nile virus, the county's first confirmed human case of 2026, the Galveston County Health District announced Friday, July 31.
The patient has the neuroinvasive form of the disease, which can cause encephalitis and meningitis. The health district said the resident had traveled outside Galveston County during the virus's incubation period to an area where West Nile activity had already been detected, meaning the infection may have been acquired elsewhere.
No infected mosquitoes have been found in the patient's neighborhood. The health district has not disclosed which city within the county the patient lives in.
Still, Galveston County Mosquito Control is deploying trapping equipment and targeted spraying around the resident's home as a precaution and will continue surveillance throughout the season. The agency can be reached at (800) 842-5622 to report mosquito concerns.
"The case is a reminder that mosquito-borne illnesses remain a seasonal concern, even if the infection may have been acquired outside the county," Local Health Authority Dr. Philip Keiser said in the health district's announcement reported by KGTX 7.
What residents should do
Health officials are urging all Galveston County residents, including those in League City, to take precautions during peak mosquito season:
- Use EPA-registered insect repellents.
- Wear long sleeves and pants outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Remove standing water where mosquitoes breed.
- Make sure doors and windows are properly screened.
Most people infected with West Nile virus never develop symptoms. Some experience fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, rash, and fatigue. In rare cases, the virus attacks the nervous system.
When to seek emergency care
The health district said symptoms requiring immediate medical attention include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, confusion, muscle weakness, tremors, or seizures.
The Galveston County Health District can be reached at (409) 949-3459 or at gchd.org for additional information on West Nile prevention.
