LINCOLN, Neb. - As cooler weather begins to set in, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services reminds Nebraskans that mosquitoes will remain active until the first hard freeze, making it important to continue following preventive measures and protect against mosquito bites.

“Cooler weather does not mean mosquitoes are gone. Until we experience a sustained hard freeze, we will continue to see mosquito activity,” said Dr. Sydney Stein, DHHS State Epidemiologist. “It is vital for Nebraskans to follow preventive measures to fight the bite and protect themselves and their loved ones from mosquitoes that could be carrying diseases such as West Nile Virus.”

People can reduce their risk:

Use a repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, lemon eucalyptus oil, or IR3535.
Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes, and socks when outside.
Take extra precautions when going outdoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
Drain standing water around your home. Empty and change the water in bird baths, fountains, wading pools, rain barrels, and potted trays at least once a week, if not more often.
Irrigate lawns and gardens carefully to prevent water from standing for several days.
Make sure window and door screens are “bug tight” and repair or replace torn screens.

“While most mosquito bites are simply annoying, some can transmit serious illnesses. If you experience symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, or body aches after being bitten, contact a healthcare provider and mention your recent mosquito bite,” said Dr. Stein.

2025 Detection Information:

As of September 29, 2025, the DHHS Vector-borne Disease Program has tested over 36,000 mosquitoes from over 1,800 mosquito pools across Nebraska.

127 mosquito pools in 17 counties have tested positive for West Nile Virus
Three mosquito pools in three counties (Adams, Lancaster, and Platte) have tested positive for Cache Valley Virus
Three mosquito pools in two counties (Hall and Lincoln) have tested positive for Jamestown Canyon Virus
41 Nebraskans have tested positive for West Nile Virus this season

Additional information can be found on the DHHS website at: https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Vector-borne-Disease.aspx