West Nile Health Data

For the latest information regarding West Nile Virus, please call the Epidemiology and Response Division at (505) 827-0006, 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday

West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne disease that was first seen in North America in 1999. The most serious manifestation of West Nile Virus infection is fatal encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) in humans and horses, as well as mortality in certain domestic and wild birds. Cases of West Nile Virus in New Mexico have occurred every year since 2003, though decreasing numbers of cases have been reported, from 209 in 2003, 88 in 2004, 33 in 2005 and 8 human cases in 2006. The number of cases increased to 60 in 2007, then fell again to 8 in 2008. West Nile Virus infection in humans occurs seasonally, with the peak of cases in late summer and early fall.

The risk of acquiring West Nile Virus can be reduced by:

Using insect repellent
Reducing the amount of time spent outdoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active
Having screens on your doors and windows to keep mosquitoes out
Emptying or eliminating water holding containers (where mosquitoes lay their eggs) such as tires, flower pots and buckets

Manual for Investigation and Control of Communicable Diseases in New Mexico, 2008: Mosquito-borne Viral Encephalitides chapter

Case Report Form

NM DOH Recommendations for Medical Providers

Frequently Asked Questions and Fact Sheets

FAQ Brochure - English

Preguntas más frecuentes Folleto

Fact Sheets - English

Virus del Nilo Occidental Fichas técnicas

NM West Nile Virus Data, 2003 - 2008

Human Cases by County

Human Cases by Onset Week

Human Cases by Age

Human Case Demographics

Mosquito Surveillance

Veterinary Surveillance

2009 West Nile Activity in New Mexico

(updated 10/27/09)

2009 Human West Nile Virus Case Information, New Mexico

To date there have been eight reported cases of West Nile Virus infection in humans, in addition to two asymptomatic blood donors.

Uncomplicated West Nile Fever reported in Lea County woman, West Nile Virus positive horses in multiple counties (See press release of 09/10/2009).

The state's first fatal case of West Nile Virus infection has been reported in a resident of Doña Ana County. A case of uncomplicated fever was also reported in a resident of Rio Arriba County who recovered without hospitalization (see press release of 08/18/2009).

New Mexico's first human case of West Nile Virus in 2009 has been confirmed in a man from Eddy County (see press release of 08/13/2009).

Mosquitoes collected in early August from San Juan County have tested positive for West Nile Virus (see press release of 08/11/2009).

New Mexico had three equine and eight human cases of West Nile Virus infection during 2008. All of the patients survived.

Insect Repellents

Insect Repellent Use and Safety (CDC)

Comparative Efficacy of Insect Repellents Against Mosquito Bites (New England Journal of Medicine)

DEET Insect Repellent Fact Sheet (National Pesticide Information Center)

Training Resources

New Mexico Vector Control Manual

Public Health Confronts the Mosquito: Developing Sustainable State and Local Mosquito Control Programs, a report from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials' Mosquito Control Collaborative