Texas health officials confirmed the state's first human case of West Nile virus this year on May 19, 2026, signaling the start of mosquito season. The patient is a resident of Harris County. Rising temperatures are contributing to mosquito proliferation, increasing the risk of diseases they carry. In 2023, the U.S. recorded 2,076 West Nile cases across 47 states, with Colorado, Illinois, Texas, Minnesota, and California reporting the highest numbers. Texas DSHS Commissioner Dr. Jennifer A. Shuford urged residents to take precautions by eliminating standing water, which serves as mosquito breeding grounds. West Nile virus, spread by infected mosquitoes, can cause symptoms ranging from fever and body aches to severe neurological illness, and there is no vaccine or specific treatment available.