Overview
- The World Health Organization warned late July that West Nile virus is spreading rapidly across parts of Europe and advised people in affected areas to use repellents, cover up and eliminate standing water.
- Andalucía authorities placed multiple municipalities including Fuengirola and Mijas on alert after infected mosquitoes were found in traps and several locally acquired human cases were reported.
- U.S. health departments confirmed new human infections this week with severe neuroinvasive cases reported in El Paso (four severe infections) and the first 2026 neuroinvasive case in Tarrant County, while New Mexico recorded two positive residents with one hospitalized.
- Local surveillance shows wide mosquito activity with hundreds to thousands of positive captures and tested pools (Tarrant County reported 86 positive pools), and vector-control teams are expanding targeted larvicide and adulticide treatments.
- There is no licensed human vaccine or specific antiviral treatment, so public-health strategy focuses on early detection, targeted spraying and simple personal steps—use EPA‑approved repellents, wear long clothing at dawn/dusk and remove standing water—to protect older adults and people with chronic conditions who face the highest risk.