Montgomery County Reports West Nile Virus Fatality
A 90-year-old woman has died in Montgomery County after contracting West Nile virus, according to county public health officials.
Houston, TX, August 21, 2026 —
A 90-year-old woman has died in Montgomery County after contracting West Nile virus, county public health officials confirmed. The fatality marks a serious development in the region’s ongoing battle against the mosquito-borne illness.
Officials have not released further details regarding the specific circumstances of the woman’s infection or her identity, citing privacy concerns. The county public health department is urging residents to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites, particularly during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
West Nile virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. While many people infected with the virus experience no symptoms or only mild flu-like symptoms, a small percentage can develop severe neurological illness, including West Nile neuroinvasive disease, which can be fatal. The elderly and individuals with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk of developing severe illness.
The public health department is continuing its mosquito surveillance and control efforts throughout Montgomery County. These efforts include monitoring mosquito populations, testing for the presence of West Nile virus, and applying larvicides and adulticides as needed to reduce mosquito breeding and exposure.
Residents are advised to eliminate standing water around their homes, as this is where mosquitoes breed. This includes emptying water from flowerpots, birdbaths, pet bowls, and clogged gutters. The use of EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus is also recommended when outdoors.
Further information and guidance on West Nile virus prevention can be found on the Montgomery County Public Health Department’s official website. The department encourages anyone experiencing symptoms consistent with West Nile virus, such as fever, headache, body aches, or in severe cases, neurological symptoms, to seek medical attention promptly.
Story summarized from the original created by KTRK on abc13.com, see more information here.
