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Early, intense West Nile season may signal a severe year for the mosquito-borne illness, CDC says
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 2, 2026
· 5 min read
By Brenda Goodman, CNN
(CNN) — Much of the country is sizzling under record heat, but Dr. Peter Hotez, an infectious disease specialist in Houston, is heading out for his early morning walks as covered up as possible in a t-shirt, a hooded sweatshirt, a hat, sweatpants, socks and sneakers.
It...
Key takeaway Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, who wrote about being “the sickest I’ve ever been” after he was infected with West Nile by a mosquito in his backyard in 2024.
Why this matters in The El Paso
El Paso residents, particularly those over 60, should be vigilant about protecting themselves from mosquito bites as the West Nile virus season gets off to an unusually early start. The city's warm weather and outdoor recreational areas can make it an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes that carry the virus. With the CDC reporting the earliest start to West Nile virus season in over two decades, local health officials may need to ramp up efforts to control mosquito populations and educate the public about prevention measures. Given that many West Nile cases go undiagnosed, the actual number of people infected in El Paso could be significantly higher than reported. As the summer months approach, residents can expect to see increased mosquito activity, making it crucial to take precautions such as using insect repellent and eliminating standing water around homes to reduce the risk of infection.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 5 min
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What is this story about? By Brenda Goodman, CNN
(CNN) — Much of the country is sizzling under record heat, but Dr. Peter Hotez, an infectious disease specialist in Houston, is heading out for his early morning walks as covered up as possible in a t-shirt, a hooded sweatshirt, a hat, sweatpants, socks and sneakers.
It...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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