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VALDOSTA, GA (WALB) – More mosquitoes tested positive for West Nile virus in Lowndes County
could be to blame.
According to Courtney Sheeley, public information officer for the Southern Health District, authorities generally do not see this amount of mosquitoes positive for West Nile virus until August.
Sheeley says wet and swampy areas are ideal conditions for mosquitoes to reproduce and spread the disease.
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"The city sprays in the city limits and if you live in Lowndes County, you can surrender to Larvicide to put around your property, "said Sheeley.
Sheeley adds that you may or may not feel the symptoms if you have infected, but call your doctor if you have fever or joint discomfort after being bitten
The best way to prevent infection is by wearing an insect repellent
VALDOSTA, Georgia (WTXL) – According to the Public Health Department of Georgia, more than 20 mosquitoes tested positive West Nile virus in Lowndes County.
Health confirmed that 24 mosquito samples tested positive for West Nile virus. There is no vaccine against & # 39; man for this disease transmitted by mosquitoes and there is no specific treatment.
Health officials urge residents to take the following precautions:
- Use an insect repellent containing DEET, picaridine, IR3535 or PMD. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label.
- All water-collecting containers should be discarded or emptied daily
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks on the outside, especially at dawn and at dusk to reduce the amount of skin exposed.
- Avoid going out from dusk to dawn, if possible in times of mosquito bites
- Install outdoor fans to prevent mosquitoes from flying near you.
WNV symptoms include headache, fever, joint pain, swollen lymph nodes and rash that usually develop two to 14 days after infection. Severe cases of EEE begin with the sudden onset of headache, high fever, chills and vomiting.
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Elderly, those with weakened immune systems or those with other underlying conditions are at higher risk for complications of the disease.
Those with severe cases are hospitalized and receive supportive care such as intravenous fluids and respiratory treatments.
Officials say the best protection is to avoid being bitten.
Lowndes County PIO says Paige Dukes of Lowndes County follows local spraying protocols.
The Department of Public Works offers free larvicide to residents of the unincorporated area. Larvicide can help reduce mosquito populations in areas where stagnant water can not be removed by traditional drainage methods.
For more information, contact Lowndes County Public Works at 229-671-2700.
According to Ashlyn Becton, the City of Valdosta is using all available resources to protect its citizens from mosquito-borne diseases through a Public Works-led spraying and larvicide program, a joint surveillance program with the City of Valdosta. 39; State University of Valdosta and Lowndes County and to public education. a four-day cycle throughout the city with a spray five days a week, if necessary, at dusk. The spray usually starts in early April.
In addition to the City's normal spraying program, when an infected human or animal mosquito is found, the City implements its intervention plan, requiring immediate, intensive and continuous spraying in areas where viruses have been positively identified.
The city's public works department treats nearly two dozen stagnant water plans each month on public property using Larvicide tablets. These tablets are also offered free to residents of the city who maintain their own standing water plans.
Citizens with questions about mosquito safety can call the Public Works Department at 229-259-3597.
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