Patti McCoy, 62, is intubated in a Georgia ICU with West Nile virus; her family is trying to keep her stable, her daughter said. Georgia has reported eight cases, including one death, and officials expect the count to rise.
The CDC’s latest 2026 data list 813 human cases across 42 states and the District of Columbia. Of those, 607 had progressed to neuroinvasive illness, the disease’s most severe form. Most people infected with West Nile have no symptoms.
The virus spreads when a mosquito bites an infected bird and then a person. The CDC recommends repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol, along with long sleeves and pants outdoors and mosquito netting over baby strollers and carriers. It says the last two ingredients are not recommended for children under 3.
