From: thedecaturminute.com
A mosquito collection from a DeKalb County
Board of Health’s sampling station which is located in Decatur has been
reported as positive for West Nile virus (WNV).
While most people infected with West Nile
virus have no symptoms or experience mild flu-like symptoms, the virus
potentially can cause serious and sometimes fatal illness. The chance
that any one person is going to become ill from a single mosquito bite
is low. The risk of severe illness and death is highest for people over
50 years old, although people of all ages can become ill.
The easiest and best way to avoid West
Nile virus is to prevent mosquito bites. While the potential for WNV
transmission exists throughout the metro area, this WNV positive
collection does indicate a higher risk at this time in this area. Please
remember to use the following precautions and remind your neighbors,
friends and coworkers to do the same.
• Apply insect repellent. DEET (N,
N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535
are effective repellents recommended by the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention. For more information, please see: http://www.cdc.gov/westnile/faq/repellent.html.
• When possible, wear long sleeves, long pants and socks. Clothing may also be treated with permethrin.
• Use extra care when mosquitoes are most active, particularly from dusk to dawn.
The DeKalb County Board of Health is
aggressively working to prevent West Nile virus transmission. Program
technicians will be in the area providing additional mosquito control
services including applying larvicide and investigating for mosquito
breeding sites. This will keep mosquito larvae from developing into
flying biting insects.
Along with the larvicide treatment, it is
important to eliminate any containers and other removable breeding sites
which may hold water for five or more days. Some items such as bird
baths can be dumped and rinsed twice a week, but do need continual
attention. Also, gutters should be cleaned and checked to make sure they
drain properly.
For more information about West Nile virus, refer to the following web sites:
Contact the Division of Environmental Health (404-508-7900) with any questions or concerns on this matter.
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