West Nile Virus Season Approaching Metro Atlanta

ATLANTA — The discovery of West Nile mosquitoes this week at 11 DeKalb County locations brought renewed focus on how best to combat the sometimes-deadly disease. Atlanta was ranked #1 on Orkin’s Mosquito Cities List for the sixth consecutive year back in May, and Orkin entomologist Mark Beavers said communities will likely have to battle the virus for several years to come.

"West Nile was introduced back in 1999, and it's spread across the nation since then," he said. "Each year, there are 20,000 cases, and in about 100 of those cases are fatal. We've had West Nile each year in Atlanta since 2016."

Peak West Nile Virus season is typically late August through September, and sometimes lasts through October. Beavers said the common Southern house mosquito carries the virus, and breeds in many different environments, including stagnant streams and culverts, making it hard to control.

One of the best strategies for eliminating mosquito-borne diseases is to reduce populations of the mosquitoes that spread them, Beavers said. "If you have a kiddie pool, make sure it's emptied frequently," he said. "Make sure your gutters are flowing."

Beavers said the mosquito likes flying at night, and bites are common in the early morning and early evening hours.

The DeKalb County Board of Health announced it had trapped West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes throughout the county, including near Chamblee, Decatur, Brookhaven, Tucker, Clarkston and Lithonia. This year, there have been no human cases of West Nile virus infection confirmed in the county.

To reduce the spread of West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases, the board of health conducts a comprehensive mosquito control program. Throughout the county, technicians routinely trap mosquitoes that are tested for viruses. They also work with residents to eliminate infestations. Measures include placing larvicide in areas with standing water, like in storm drains. This keeps young mosquitoes from becoming flying, biting adults.

Although a person's chances of getting sick are small, those age 50 and older are at highest risk for serious illness. Not everyone infected with West Nile Virus will become ill. However, West Nile can cause serious complications, including neurological diseases, and can also cause a milder flu-like illness, including fever, headache and body aches, nausea, and occasionally a skin rash and swollen lymph glands.

Health officials advise people to take the following precautions:

• Reduce mosquito breeding in your yard by eliminating standing water in gutters and items such as planters, toys, wheelbarrows and old tires.
• Discourage mosquitoes from resting in your yard by trimming tall grass, weeds and vines.
• Reduce outdoor exposure at dawn and dusk, when the mosquitoes that transmit West Nile virus are most active.
• Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and socks when outdoors, particularly at dawn and dusk and in areas with large numbers of mosquitoes.
• Make sure window and door screens fit tightly to keep out mosquitoes.
• Use an insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535. Apply according to label instructions.
• Spray clothing with products containing permethrin according to label instructions.