Officials announced Friday the first death from West Nile virus in Bernalillo County.
Albuquerque’s Environmental Health Department and the Bernalillo County Planning Development Services Department announced in a news release that the woman who died was 65 years old, which is within the age range of people most at risk.
The release stated the city has found West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes at locations throughout the city. Both departments urged residents to take precautions against mosquito bites during months of peak activity.
Read more about mosquitoes in Albuquerque here.
Kellison Platero, the county’s health protection manager, said in the release it has been a “busy season for our vector control technicians as they focus on efforts to minimize the impact of mosquitos.”
According to the release, the most common symptoms of West Nile virus are fever, nausea, headache, muscle aches and sometimes neurological symptoms.
The city recommends taking these steps to prevent mosquito bites:
- Use insect repellent on exposed skin and clothing when outdoors.
- Avoid scheduling outdoor activities around dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most actively biting.
- Eliminate water-holding containers where mosquitoes lay eggs.
- When flood-irrigating, prevent water from standing for more than a few days.
- Keep windows and doors closed if they do not have screens.
The New Mexico Department of Health reported on Aug. 6 that the first case of West Nile virus in 2024 was in Union County. According to the department, the state has reported approximately 35 cases yearly over the last five years.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that 33 states have reported cases of the West Nile virus this year. Earlier this week, a 50-year-old man from El Paso, Texas died from the virus.
Read more about Albuquerque and Bernalillo County’s mosquito control and prevention programs here.