West Nile virus: 2 new cases confirmed in Fulton County mosquito traps
A female Aedes albopictus mosquito feeding on a human host. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images).
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - Fulton County health officials say that they have confirmed two new cases of West Nile virus in mosquito traps across the county.
The new positive cases were reported in traps in the northwest and southeast parts of the City of Atlanta, according to the Fulton County Board of Health.
What we know:
The two positive tests come less than a week after officials confirmed the virus in mosquito traps in Hapeville and northwest Atlanta.
Fulton County health officials said they will work with a mosquito control vendor to eliminate mosquitoes in the areas where the virus was detected.
How you can prevent the spread of West Nile
What you can do:
The BOH offered 5 "Ds" to prevent mosquito bites and breeding:
- Dusk/Dawn – Avoid dusk and dawn activities during the summer when mosquitoes are most active.
- Dress – Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants to reduce the amount of exposed skin.
- DEET – Cover exposed skin with an insect repellent containing DEET, which is the most effective repellent against mosquito bites.
- Drain - Empty any containers holding standing water like buckets, barrels, flowerpots and tarps because they are breeding grounds for virus-carrying mosquitoes.
- Doors – Make sure doors and windows are in good repair and fit tightly and fix torn or damaged screens to keep mosquitoes out of the house. Also, trim or remove overgrown grass or weeds.
(Fulton County Board of Health)
What is West Nile?
Dig deeper:
West Nile virus disease is caused by a virus that is found in the United States and many other places in the world, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is transmitted to humans most often through mosquitoes. People become infected with the virus when mosquitoes feed on infected birds and then bite people.
About 2 in 10 people infected with West Nile virus develop symptoms, which can include fever and swelling of the brain. About one in 10 people who develop severe symptoms die. There have been 49 West Nile cases so far this year, with 25 of those considered neuroinvasive. The virus has been reported in 15 states, including one case in Georgia's Muscogee County.
West Nile virus was first reported in the U.S. in 1999 in New York. It gradually spread across the country. In 2003, there were nearly 10,000 cases.
The Source: Information for this article came from a release by the Fulton County Board of Health, information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and previous FOX 5 reporting.