Georgians warned to protect themselves after 1st death from West Nile Virus

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By Berndt Petersen

ATLANTA, Ga. — Health officials are issuing a warning before Labor Day Weekend: Cases of West Nile Virus have jumped over the last seven days.

Channel 2's Berndt Petersen was in DeKalb County where the Georgia Department of Public Health announced Wednesday that one person in Georgia has died of the virus and six other cases have been confirmed in 2018.

Four of those seven cases were confirmed in the last week.

Officials also confirmed one death due to Eastern equine encephalitis. The department says only a few cases of this disease are reported each year in the United States.

Petersen talked to officials at the Georgia Department of Public Health, who said that September is when mosquitos are the most intense.

"At the end of August through the middle of September is the peak season," Dr. Cherie Drenzek said.

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Officials said there could be dozens of new cases of the virus over the next few weeks.

Officials say that way above-average rainfall amounts both helped and hurt. Heavy downpours can wash away mosquito larvae but the standing water left behind provides the perfect breeding ground.

With the long Labor Day weekend ahead, officials recommend residents rid their yards of standing water and use insect repellant.

"We want to make sure the public recognizes there's a lot of mosquitoes out," state epidemiologist Dr Dr. Chris Rustin said. "We've had a lot of rain with opportunities for mosquitos to breed and lay eggs. The prevention message is to protect themselves."

Last year, there were 48 confirmed cases of West Nile Virus and seven deaths in Georgia.

Health officials say the best way to protect yourself from mosquitoes is:

  • Avoid or limit outdoor activities at dusk and dawn
  • Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeve clothing to cover exposed skin
  • Cover exposed skin with insect repellent containing DEET
  • Empty any containers holding standing water, which are breeding grounds for mosquitoes
  • Make sure doors and windows are shut tightly to keep mosquitoes out of your home.