The Connecticut Department of Public Health has confirmed the state's first human case of West Nile virus this season as mosquitoes continue to test positive for the virus.

The case involves a man in his 30s who lives in Middlesex County. He became sick during the first week of August, was hospitalized, and has since recovered. Laboratory testing confirmed West Nile virus infection, DPH said on Thursday.

The risk remains elevated. The announcement comes as the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station has detected West Nile virus in mosquito pools in 34 towns across the state this season.

In 2025, a total of six human West Nile virus infections were reported in the state. West Nile virus has been detected in Connecticut every year since 1999. The first positive mosquito pool of the 2026 season was collected in Milford on June 29.

Mosquitoes become more widespread during the summer mothers. Here are some tips on preventing mosquito bites.

“We are at a peak for the number of mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile Virus, and these positive tests are occurring in communities throughout our state,” DPH Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani said. "As summer winds down and fall begins, many Connecticut residents may think that the risks from mosquitoes have passed, but this is the time to prevent mosquito bites, which continues to be the best way to reduce the risk of West Nile virus infection."

The risk of West Nile virus is expected to continue into early fall, until mosquito activity declines in October, according to DPH.

Here are some tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on how to treat mosquito bites

Most people infected with West Nile virus do not develop symptoms. About one in five develop West Nile fever, which can cause fever, body aches, joint pain, headaches, or a rash. About one in 150 infected people develop a severe illness affecting the central nervous system, according to DPH. People over 60 are at the highest risk of serious illness.

Residents are encouraged to wear insect repellent and eliminate standing water around their homes where mosquitoes can breed.