Georgia Health Officials Confirm Case Of West Nile Virus

One of the recent mosquito surveillance traps monitored by Sun Country Health Region Public Health contained mosquitoes that were positive for West Nile Virus.

But county officials say it’s too soon to let our guard down.

West Nile virus is transmitted to people and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture announced the first detection of a West Nile virus mosquito pool in Maryland in 2015.

“The lion’s share of the positives are usually between right about now, August through September, and even into October sometimes”, Slawson said. There are 23 species of Aedes, and eight of those species are vectors of West Nile virus.

The MDA Mosquito Control Office and the DHMH conducted surveillance activities throughout the state to collect and test mosquitoes for West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis and several other mosquito-borne diseases, officials said.

What is CDC’s position regarding the use of chemical mosquito control?

“We have been detecting West Nile virus in mosquitoes since April in the Valley and working hard ever since to reduce transmission of the virus”, said Rodney Chamberlain, lead supervisor for operations at the district.

To report dead birds, contact the California Department of Public Health, or CDPH, on their toll-free hotline at 877-WNV BIRD or visit them online. These symptoms can last for several weeks to months. “Approximately 80 percent of people who are infected with (West Nile virus) will not show any symptoms at all”.

Government agencies can help minimize the mosquito population by trapping and putting larvicides in standing water where the mosquitoes breed. Adults 50 years or older and those with underlying conditions or weaker immune systems, however, are at greater risk.

If you are outdoors when mosquitoes are biting, wear long trousers and long-sleeved shirts and apply insect repellent containing EPA-registered active ingredients such as DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, and Oil of lemon eucalyptus. The symptoms of neurologic illness can include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, seizures, or paralysis.