Long Beach West Nile virus cases rise to highest level since 2014, city says
The 16 human cases in the city reported since June are about a quarter of all cases statewide, according to health officials.
Cases of West Nile virus in Long Beach have risen to their highest level in 12 years, city health officials said Friday.
There have been 16 human cases of the virus reported so far in 2026, the most since 2014 when 56 cases were reported, according to the city's Department of Health and Human Services.
West Nile virus cases are also elevated statewide, officials said.
As of Aug. 28, there have been 65 human cases of West Nile virus across 16 California counties this year, including 5 fatalities, according to the state Department of Public Health. "That is higher than the 5-year average number of human cases typically reported by this point in the year," state officials said on Aug. 20.
There was just one case of West Nile virus infection in Long Beach last year, city health statistics show.
Of this year’s cases, 69% involved neuroinvasive disease, which is a severe form of the virus that affects the brain or nervous system, health officials said. A little more than 80% of those who have contracted the virus have required hospitalization, officials added.
The first human case of the virus in the state this year was reported in Long Beach in late June, according to city health officials.
Transmitted by an infected culex mosquito, West Nile virus typically spreads during warm weather, usually from June to October, city officials said.
Many factors influence the virus, including climate, the number and types of birds and mosquitoes in an area and the level of virus immunity in birds, according to state public health officials.
City officials said they are conducting "enhanced disease surveillance" and mosquito-control efforts throughout Long Beach and are working with regional vector control agencies to reduce mosquito activity.
Symptoms of infection include fever, body aches, rash, nausea, vomiting and headache. Most people who have been infected exhibit no symptoms, but about one in 150 could develop more serious disease that includes brain inflammation, paralysis or death, city health officials said.
People who are over 55 or have chronic health conditions are at higher risk for severe illness. People with these symptoms should seek immediate medical care, city officials said.
There is currently no vaccine or medicine to prevent or treat West Nile virus, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
On Friday, city Health Officer Dr. Cliff Okada said residents should take the following precautions:
- Prevent mosquito bites by applying insect repellent with EPA-registered active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or lemon eucalyptus according to the label directions before going outside.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants if spending time outside at dawn and dusk. WNV-carrying mosquitoes are most active during those times.
- Install or repair door and window screens.
- Dump, drain and scrub containers that collect standing water around your home.
- Flush and clean outdoor drains regularly with a hose to prevent stagnant water from pooling.
- Remove debris, trash and dirt around the exterior of drains, gutters and curbs to allow water to flow.
- Avoid bare-handed contact with dead birds. Report dead birds online or call 877-968-2473.
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