Montana Reports First West Nile Cases of 2025

One of nature’s most irritating and deadliest creatures has hit Montana news. This little gremlin sucks your blood and causes more deaths worldwide than any other animal: the mosquito.

State and county health officials just confirmed the first detections of West Nile virus (WNV) in Montana for 2025. Four mosquito pools have tested positive... three in Lewis and Clark County and one in Cascade. Add in three horses testing positive in Sheridan, Custer, and Daniels counties, and we’ve got early signs of a potentially rough mosquito season.

According to the Department of Public Health and Human Services, West Nile activity is already widespread. And while some folks might think, “It’s just a mosquito bite,” WNV is no joke. Most people don’t show symptoms, but about 1 in 5 will get hit with flu-like misery: headaches, body aches, rash, fatigue, and more. In rare cases—roughly 1 in 150—it can lead to severe neurological issues like paralysis, coma, or even death.

There’s no vaccine. No magic pill. Just bug spray, long sleeves, and a lot of awareness.

DPHHS is urging Montanans to step up their mosquito defense. That means ditching standing water, using repellent, and being smart about dawn and dusk. Which is the prime feeding times for these flying fiends.

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This isn’t just a backyard nuisance, it’s a health risk. So whether you’re out hiking a trail, working in your yard, or just sipping coffee on the porch, take the bite seriously. Montana might be tough, but West Nile doesn’t care. Don't let a little bug knock you out.