North Dakota has confirmed its first West Nile virus death of 2026, an adult over 60 who lived in the southwestern part of the state. As of Sept. 9, the state had recorded 25 human cases in 14 counties, and 14 of those patients had been hospitalized, according to North Dakota Health and Human Services figures reported by Valley News Live. The state announced the death on Sept. 10.
The death comes as many residents are ready to put away the bug spray. State health officials say transmission in North Dakota usually peaks in late summer and that the risk continues until a hard frost kills off the remaining mosquitoes.
