VALDOSTA —
In light of Lowndes County’s fifth incident of West Nile Virus-carrying mosquitoes this year and a pair of mosquito-borne diseases in Albany, the Georgia Department of Health’s South Health District has been urging citizens to take precautions to minimize the chance of being infected.
There were just over 700 cases of West Nile Virus recorded in the U.S. last year and 43 of those cases resulted in death, according to figures released by Georgia’s Southwest Health District Tuesday.
On July 13, the Southwest Health District reported that a 64-year-old Dougherty County man tested positive for West Nile Virus and the district reported a case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis, also known as “Triple E,” earlier this year in Lanier County.
“Unfortunately, every year around this time, we begin seeing cases of West Nile virus, which is a potentially dangerous mosquito-borne illness for which we have no vaccine,” said Southwest Health District Health Director Dr. Jacqueline Grant. “Only a few years ago, we had a death in the district attributed to West Nile virus.”
Though only 20 percent of those who contract West Nile Virus experience serious symptoms, Grant said that those who do are hospitalized but there is no vaccine or specific treatment for the virus. She said older people and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk of experiencing severe symptoms, should they contract the disease.
“People with severe cases are hospitalized and receive supportive care, such as intravenous fluids and respiratory treatment,” Grant said. “The best protection is to avoid getting bitten.”
The South Health District recommends taking the following precautions to minimize your chances of contracting a mosquito-borne disease:
•Use insect repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or PMD.
Be sure to follow the instructions on the label.
•Dump any container that can collect water.
•Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks when outdoors --as weather permits --
especially at dawn and dusk to reduce the amount of exposed skin.
•Avoid being outdoors from dusk to dawn, peak mosquito biting
times.
•Set up outdoor fans to keep mosquitoes from flying near you.
For more information on West Nile Virus or any other mosquito-borne disease, visit www.cdc.gov or call South Health District, (229) 333-5290.
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