1st DeKalb Human Case Of West Nile Virus Since 2020 Detected

EAST ATLANTA, GA — A man in his 20s has been diagnosed with the West Nile virus, the first case this year and the first human case since 2020 in DeKalb County, health officials said Thursday.

The DeKalb County Board of Health was notified Wednesday that a southwest DeKalb man living in East Atlanta was diagnosed with the virus.

Health officials said they are also investigating two more unrelated cases of the virus in the county's Lake Claire and North Druid Hills areas.

"Larvicide application in low-lying areas and storm drains have already taken place in several areas throughout the county, including the area where the case resides. Larvicide keeps young mosquitoes from becoming flying, biting adults," health officials said in a news release.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised COVID-19 and other coronaviruses can be spread through mosquitoes and share similar symptoms as the West Nile, per health officials.

DeKalb health officials offers the following tips for preventing mosquito bites and reducing mosquitos near homes:

To reduce mosquitoes in and around your home:

• 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.
• Make sure window and door screens fit tightly to keep mosquitoes out of your home.

To prevent being bitten by mosquitoes:

• Reduce outdoor exposure at dawn and dusk, when the mosquitoes that transmit West Nile virus are most active.
• Use an insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535. Apply according to label instructions.
• Spray clothing with products containing permethrin. Also apply according to label instructions.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks when outdoors, particularly at dawn and dusk and in areas with large numbers of mosquitoes.

More information is available by calling the Board of Health, (404) 508-7900, or visit the Board of Health's website.