Dallas County reported its first West Nile Virus-related death of 2026 Wednesday, according to a news release from the county’s Department of Health and Human Services.
The person who died was a man in his 60s who suffered from underlying medical conditions. He was diagnosed with a more serious neuroinvasive form of the disease, known as West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease. The county health department declined to release further information about the man to protect his identity.
Philip Huang, director of the Dallas County Health and Human Services, said in a statement Wednesday that the agency was saddened to hear about the man’s death.
“We want residents to know that the arrival of cooler weather does not mean the threat is over,” Huang said. “Please continue to protect yourself and your loved ones from mosquito bites and help prevent mosquito breeding around your home.”
As of Wednesday, the agency has found a total of 192 positive traps in the county. There are at least six human cases of West Nile Virus in Dallas County.
The agency monitors for the virus from April to mid-November. It recommended Dallas County residents use insect repellant, wear long and loose clothing, drain or treat all standing water where mosquitoes could lay eggs and limit time outdoors from dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are most active.