RHHD Alerts the Public to Increased Risk for Transmission of West Nile Virus in Henrico County

Posted on by brianlittle

Last Updated: September 19, 2025

September 19, 2025

Media Contact: Bryan Hooten, 804-807-1727, bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov

 

RHHD Alerts the Public to Increased Risk for Transmission of West Nile Virus in Henrico County

 

RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) alert the public to the increased opportunity for transmission of West Nile Virus (WNV) in Henrico County. According to Henrico County’s Department of Public Works’ Vector Surveillance and Control Division, at least 50 percent of mosquito trap sites tested in the past two weeks have returned positive results for West Nile Virus. There have been no recent documented human cases of WNV in Henrico County.

Mosquito trap sites collect a pool of mosquitoes from a specific area; if one mosquito in a trap tests positive, regardless of how many mosquitoes are in the trap, the trap site is considered positive. RHHD and Henrico County consider 50 percent or more of mosquito trap sites testing positive for WNV for two consecutive weeks to indicate higher risk for WNV transmission.

West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus is the most common mosquito-borne disease in Virginia. People can get WNV after being bitten by an infected mosquito. WNV cannot spread through coughing, sneezing, or touching, or through eating infected animals or birds.

The majority of people with WNV infection have mild or no symptoms. People 55 years of age and older, and people with certain medical conditions such as cancer or kidney disease, are more susceptible to illness and account for most of the serious WNV illnesses, which can lead to permanent disability or death.

 WNV symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Body aches
  • Vomiting and/or diarrhea
  • Rash (25– 50 percent of cases)

There is currently no vaccine available for WNV in humans. Mosquito control programs and personal protective measures provide the best protection against exposure to infected mosquitoes.

How to protect yourself from mosquitoes:

  • Wear loose-fitting and long sleeves and pants and limit the amount of exposed skin when you’re outside in areas where mosquitoes may be active.
    • The mosquitoes that transmit WNV are most active from dusk until dawn, but they can bite you at any time.
  • Consider using an EPA-registered insect repellent on your skin or clothing.
    • When using insect repellant on children, keep the following in mind:
      • The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using products containing no greater than 30% DEET on children.
      • Do not use insect repellent on babies under two months of age.
      • Oil of lemon eucalyptus and para-menthane-diol should never be used on children under three years of age.
    • Sleep with windows and doors closed unless they are well-screened.

How to prevent mosquito habitats on your property:

  • Check outside your residence to be sure there are no containers of standing water. Some mosquitoes lay eggs in containers of water, including containers that only hold about as much water as a bottle cap.
    • Dump water that collects in containers each week.
      • Wading pools, ornamental ponds, bird baths, neglected swimming pools, flowerpot trays, buckets and used tires can all serve as sources of standing water for mosquitoes to breed in.
    • Wash out containers each week before refilling them with clean water.
      • Mosquito eggs take about one week to hatch.
    • Cover or store boats or buckets upside down to prevent water from collecting in these containers.
  • Use mosquito larvicide dunks to regularly treat containers of water that cannot be dumped or drained.
    • Larvicide dunks kill mosquito larvae in stagnant water sources during warm months when mosquitoes are active.
    • Follow instructions on the package for correct use.

Henrico residents can request a free inspection of their property to look for mosquito breeding sites and offer advice to limit mosquitoes around the home. Fill out the inspection form if you are interested.

Please visit the Virginia Department of Health website for more information on mosquitoes and mosquito-borne illness. Visit rhhd.gov for more health and safety information. Follow RHHD on Instagram (@richmondcity_hd) and Facebook.

# # #