Home / Environment / Twin Cities West Nile Cases Hit Record High
Twin Cities West Nile Cases Hit Record High
27 Feb
Summary
- Twin Cities recorded 47 West Nile cases, a new high, last year.
- Invasive Aedes aegypti mosquitoes appeared but were eradicated.
- Cattail mosquito populations boomed due to heavy rains in 2024.
Last year marked an unprecedented surge in West Nile virus cases within the Twin Cities, with 47 human infections reported, significantly surpassing the previous record of 28. This outbreak was driven by a combination of factors, including a high population of the principal mosquito species that carries the disease and increased infection rates in initial mosquito samples.
The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District also identified the invasive Aedes aegypti mosquito species in the Twin Cities for the first time. While initially considered a concerning development, officials now believe they have successfully eliminated this species from the area and will continue surveillance in 2026.
Furthermore, populations of cattail mosquitoes, described as aggressive, reached their highest numbers since 2020, a boom attributed to heavy rainfall in 2024. Mosquito populations peaked in the week of July 8. Despite these challenges, mosquito annoyance calls decreased significantly compared to the previous year.
