Mosquitoes and their blood-sucking bites are more than just pesky. They can carry diseases like West Nile virus, and experts say they’re seeing a rise in cases across the U.S.\u00a0<\/p>\n
While no human cases have not been reported in New York City so far in 2025, the virus has been found in mosquitoes.<\/p>\n
New York City monitoring mosquitoes for West Nile virus<\/p>\n
The NYC Department of Health reported mosquitoes tested positive<\/a> for West Nile virus in Staten Island, Queens and the Bronx.<\/p>\n According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a>, at least 49 human cases have been reported in 15 states, including Arizona, Louisiana and Texas, so far this year.\u00a0<\/p>\n “There are more cases than have been identified,” Dr. Nischay Mishra, an associate professor at Columbia University Medical Center, said.\u00a0<\/p>\n He said cases are being reported this year in counties not seen in the past.\u00a0<\/p>\n “Kind of concerned, especially because we have not reached the peak season of the West Nile virus yet,” he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mishra said peak season for West Nile virus is in August and September.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mosquito prevention \u00a0<\/p>\n According to the Environmental Protection Agency, climate change increases the risk of human exposure to West Nile virus<\/a>.<\/p>\n Monday’s torrential rain and flash flooding<\/a> followed by several days of high humidity in the Tri-State Area made it difficult for pools of water to evaporate, and created breeding grounds for mosquitoes.<\/p>\n