Health Department: Fight the Bite to prevent illnesses carried by mosquitoes
August 26, 2026
Launch the media gallery 1 playerHastings, Nebraska – The district health department for Adams, Clay, Nuckolls and Webster counties is notifying residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
South Heartland District Health Department (SHDHD) executive director Michele Bever reported that 10 samples (pools) of mosquitoes collected from three sites in Adams County on August 19 have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). The department had previously reported WNV-positive and Cache Valley virus-positive mosquitoes trapped on July 21, and WNV-positive mosquitoes trapped on August 4.
“Mosquito season is definitely not yet over in south central Nebraska,” Bever said. “Since there are no vaccines to prevent - or medicines to treat - West Nile illness in humans, please ‘fight the bite’ to protect yourself from mosquitoes,” she said.
To date in 2026, a total of 11 cases of West Nile infection have been identified in Nebraskans through clinical positive results.
Bever said residents can reduce their risk of becoming infected with West Nile virus by reducing exposure to mosquito bites. ‘Fight the bite’ by using an EPA-registered repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, especially outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
The City of Hastings is continuing to apply larvicide to standing water areas, according to Hastings Parks and Recreation director, Jeff Hassenstab. The City has been providing mosquito control efforts since early July and will continue these efforts in areas of high mosquito counts, in the evening and early morning time frames, when weather allows.
Residents can help reduce sites for mosquitoes to breed. Hassenstab recommends draining standing water every few days. Items or surfaces that collect or hold water, such as bird baths, child swimming pools, pet bowls, tires, or flower pots can become mosquito breeding sites if not drained periodically.
West Nile virus is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Initial symptoms of West Nile illness typically occur 2-14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. These symptoms are usually mild, including fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash. However, symptoms may be more severe, require hospitalization, cause permanent neurological damage, and may result in death.
Nebraska local health departments partner with the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services (NDHHS) to trap and test mosquitoes in the counties designated by NDHHS. Adams County is the designated trapping county in the South Heartland health district, which includes Adams, Clay, Nuckolls and Webster counties. Trapping occurs every other week, typically ending in late September. For more information, visit southheartlandhealth.ne.gov or call 1-877-238-7595; or visit the NDHHS webpage for West Nile Virus & Mosquito Surveillance Data: dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/West-Nile-Virus-Data.aspx.
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