Yakima County Detects West Nile Virus in 1st Mosquito Samples of 2026

3 articles · Updated · Yakima Herald-Republic · Jun 28

Yakima County recorded its first West Nile-positive mosquito samples of 2026 after tests by the Benton County Mosquito Control District confirmed the virus, health officials said Friday.
September typically marks the end of mosquito season, and the Yakima Health District warned residents to avoid bites because there is no human vaccine for West Nile virus.
80% of infected people develop no symptoms, but others can face fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea or rash; severe cases can cause encephalitis or meningitis.
People over 60 and those with cancer, diabetes, hypertension or kidney disease face higher risk, prompting officials to urge repellant use, protective clothing, screened homes and removal of standing water.
Yakima County saw 42 positive pooled mosquito samples and 1 human case in 2025, underscoring that the virus returns to the region each year.