Health officials say heavy rains in north Georgia might be the reason behind the state seeing its first West Nile case earlier than usual
A Clayton County man is the first Georgia West Nile Virus case this year—two months earlier than usual. Now southwest Georgia health officials want you to protect yourself from mosquitoes.
Health officials say heavy rains in north Georgia might be the reason behind the state seeing its first West Nile case earlier than usual. Dougherty County’s ‘Mosquito Man’ Donnel Mathis says the weather has a lot to do with mosquito populations and ours isn’t bad…yet.
“Due to the rain that we’ve just gotten, we can begin to see mosquitoes to increase in the next coming week, within two weeks period,” Mathis said.
More mosquitoes means more risk for West Nile. Public Health Epidemiologist Jacqueline Jenkins says to wear bug spray containing DEET or Picaridin, long sleeve shirts and pants—especially at dawn and dusk—and dump out any standing water.
“If you’re gonna be outside working make sure you put on your repellent and that you also wear long sleeves,” said Jenkins.
Symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, body aches, and swollen lymph glands. There’s no vaccine, but Jenkins says to see your doctor for treatment.
“What state epidemiologists are stressing this year is to get tested for West Nile Virus. All the commercial labs can do that now.”
Find more West Nile information here.
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