Cache Valley virus detected in Lincoln County mosquito pool

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has confirmed the presence of Cache Valley virus in a mosquito pool collected in Lincoln County. The West Central District Health Department gathered the samples on Aug. 6, 2024, as part of the DHHS mosquito surveillance program. This marks the first time CVV has been detected in Nebraska, with the discovery made through expanded testing conducted by the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory (NPHL).

CVV, though rare in humans, can cause serious neuroinvasive diseases such as encephalitis and meningitis, with three reported deaths out of seven cases in the U.S. The virus also affects livestock, primarily sheep, cattle, and goats, potentially leading to stillbirths and birth defects when infected during pregnancy. It is transmitted solely through mosquito bites, not by direct contact with infected animals. Currently, there is no treatment or vaccine for CVV.

Other mosquito-borne viruses such as West Nile virus (WNV) and Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV) have also been detected in Nebraska in 2024. Mosquitoes remain active until the first hard freeze, so health officials urge continued caution.

To protect against mosquito bites, DHHS recommends using EPA-registered repellents, wearing long-sleeved clothing, avoiding peak mosquito activity at dusk and dawn, and regularly removing standing water from your property.

For more information, visit the Nebraska DHHS Mosquito-Borne Diseases page.