Friday, September 5, 2003

West Nile appears in Fulton County

Two Fulton County residents have been identified as the first in metro Atlanta to contract the mosquito-borne West Nile virus, the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness reported Tuesday.

Test results from the Georgia Public Health Laboratory verified that both residents a 51-year-old male of Alpharetta and a 36-year-old male of Atlanta tested positive for the virus, which can cause severe illness and death. Neither of the residents required hospitalization, and both have recovered from their symptoms.

These are the fourth and fifth cases in Georgia in 2003. Other human cases in the state were identified in Bartow, Whitfield and White counties.

Last year in Fulton County, there were five human cases, one of which resulted in death.

One of Fulton County's cases this year is believed to have contracted the virus during a trip to South Dakota. However, as a precaution, areas near where both residents live have been treated for mosquitoes. Since March 2003, the Health and Wellness Department has larvicided catch basins and other large mosquito-breeding areas throughout the county.

Interim Health Director Dr. Dennis Daniels has urged residents to avoid mosquito bites by eliminating breeding sites around their homes.

"These cases emphasize the need for everyone to take West Nile virus seriously and take action to prevent its spread," Dr. Daniels said. "Our efforts to larvicide, trap and test mosquitoes, and aggressively conduct source reduction countywide, coupled with residents taking action to reduce their exposure to mosquito bites and eliminate breeding grounds around their homes, will successfully prevent others from suffering needlessly from this virus."

Residents can further reduce their risk of being bitten by mosquitoes by wearing long-sleeved shirts, pants and socks; avoiding the outdoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active; and using a mosquito repellent containing DEET.

Mosquitoes spread West Nile virus by feeding on blood from an infected bird and then biting a human. Only a small number of individuals bitten by mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus experience severe illness. People over the age of 50 and individuals with chronic illnesses have a greater chance of becoming seriously ill from the virus. Symptoms of severe illness may include headache, fever, fatigue, dizziness, weakness and confusion.

The Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness continues to test pools (groups) of mosquitoes collected from traps and to rely on dead birds to signal the presence of the virus. However, only crows, blue jays and birds of prey, such as owls, hawks and falcons that have been dead less than 24 hours will be picked up for testing. To report fresh dead birds in Fulton County, call (404) 524-7368.

For more information on West Nile virus, contact the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness Mosquito Hotline at (404) 730-5296 or visit the following websites:

Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness

www.co.fulton.ga.us/services/services_detail_T27_R145.html

Georgia Division of Public Health http://health.state.ga.us

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm