New City has suburban yards, wooded areas, parks, streams, storm drains, and shaded properties where mosquitoes can breed when water collects. Rockland County reported its first West Nile virus-positive mosquito pool of the 2026 season in New City, and New York State confirmed mosquito pools with West Nile virus in Rockland, Nassau, and Suffolk counties in July 2026.
West Nile virus is maintained in a bird-mosquito cycle. Mosquitoes pick up the virus from infected birds, then spread it to people and animals through bites. Normal contact with a person, dog, or cat is not how the disease usually spreads. People, horses, and other mammals are considered dead-end hosts because they generally do not develop enough virus in the blood to infect other mosquitoes.
Around New City homes, risk can increase wherever water stands for several days, including gutters, buckets, toys, tarps, birdbaths, planters, pool covers, and drainage areas. Mosquitoes can also rest in shaded vegetation, making wooded lots and overgrown areas more active during peak biting times.
Most people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms. When illness develops, it may cause fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Severe West Nile disease can affect the central nervous system and may cause meningitis, encephalitis, tremors, confusion, weakness, paralysis, coma, or death. Risk of severe disease increases with age and with certain underlying medical conditions.
No specific antiviral treatment is available for West Nile virus disease in people. Mild cases are usually managed with supportive care, while severe cases can require hospitalization, respiratory support, IV fluids, and treatment for complications.
Pets may be bitten by infected mosquitoes, but dogs and cats rarely become seriously ill. Horses are more susceptible to severe West Nile virus disease, so vaccination and prevention should be discussed with a veterinarian. Pet owners should contact a veterinarian if an animal shows sudden weakness, fever, stumbling, tremors, or behavior changes.
For New City residents, preventing mosquito breeding and avoiding bites during mosquito season are the best ways to reduce West Nile virus exposure.
