West Nile Virus Detected In Fulton County

ATLANTA, GA — Mosquitoes near a recreation center and a virtual academy in Fulton County have tested positive for West Nile virus, Fulton County health officials said this week.

The Fulton County Board of Health on Sunday said two mosquito traps were retrieved in Hapeville and northwest Atlanta, where infected mosquitoes were detected.

“Mosquitoes can be dangerous if infected and may pose a serious health risk to people in our area," said Dr. Brandon Leftwich, environmental health director at the Fulton County Board of Health."We want to make sure communities are aware and take necessary precautions to protect themselves."

Health officials said they planned to treat the impacted areas and spread awareness of the positive results to the local communities. It was not immediately know if anyone was sickened.

West Nile can be transferred when a mosquito bites an infected bird, and then a human, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Mild symptoms include fevers, headaches, body aches and fatigue. Raised fevers, neck stiffness, aches, nausea and vomiting, swollen lymph nodes, rashes and neurological symptoms are considered moderate to severe symptoms, the DPH said.

The most recent available showed there were 81 cases of West Nile reported from 2018-22 in Georgia, the DPH said.

Mosquito bites and breeding can be prevented via the following tips, Fulton health officials said:

• Avoid dusk and dawn activities during the summer when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants to reduce the amount of exposed skin.
• Cover exposed skin with an insect repellent containing DEET, which is the most effective repellent against mosquito bites.
• Empty any containers holding standing water – buckets, barrels, flowerpots, tarps – because they are breeding grounds for virus-carrying mosquitoes.
• 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.
• Trim or remove overgrown grass or weeds.

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