West Nile virus in the USA (Texas)

13 Apr 2022

Dallas County Health and Human Services have reported the first case of West Nile fever in the Dallas area in 2022. 

West Nile fever is caused by West Nile virus (WNV) and occurs annually in North America. The virus is spread by mosquito bites and can cause a flu-like illness and rarely, severe disease.

Advice for Travellers

WNV is rare in travellers. There is no vaccine against WNV.

When visiting areas experiencing an outbreak of WNV, you should:

• practice mosquito bite avoidance measures both day and night
• seek medical advice if you develop a sudden onset of flu-like symptoms with a high temperature (fever) following travel to a risk area

Note for blood donors: if you have recently travelled to an area with WNV transmission, you may need to be tested for WNV before donating blood.

• see the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service website for further details

For further information see the fitfortravel West Nile Fever page.