Rhode Island's 2nd 2026 West Nile Case Detected

CRANSTON, RI — A second case of West Nile virus was detected in Rhode Island this year.

The virus was found in a mosquito sample collected July 14 in Cranston, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the Rhode Island Department of Health said in a media release

Additional mosquito samples collected statewide showed no signs of Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus, Jamestown Canyon Virus, or West Nile virus, according to the release.

The previous positive sample was collected June 29 in Providence, the two departments reported.

Rhode Island’s risk level for West Nile virus is medium, the departments said.

West Nile is the main mosquito-borne disease in the United States, according to the release, and there is no vaccine to prevent it.

About 20% infected with the virus "develop a fever and other symptoms," the release said.

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