West Nile virus activity rises in Los Angeles and Texas

Public health officials are monitoring increases in West Nile virus activity in both California and Texas. In Los Angeles County, the Department of Public Health reported the highest number of West Nile virus cases in nearly a decade. Health alerts indicate that mosquito pools and dead birds have tested positive for the virus across various areas of the county, with infection rates surpassing the five-year average for this period.

In Texas, the Bell County Public Health District reported that a mosquito pool in Harker Heights tested positive for the virus. Health officials are urging residents to take precautions against mosquito bites to prevent transmission.

Medical experts note that while many infections are asymptomatic or resemble the flu, certain populations—including the elderly and those with chronic conditions like diabetes or asthma—are at higher risk for severe complications such as meningitis or death. Experts suggest that increasing heat, humidity, and climate change may be contributing to the rise in mosquito populations and their historic ranges.