The Georgia Department of Public Health confirmed Aug. 18 that one resident in Chatham County has contracted West Nile virus, prompting health officials to remind residents to take precautions against mosquito bites as the peak mosquito season continues.
This makes the second case in Georgia this year.
The state health agency said in a news release on their website that the disease could potentially be serious and is transmitted to humans via an infected mosquito.
The Center for Disease Control says that 80% of people who contract the disease will not have symptoms but those that do will likely experience vomiting, diarhhea, body aches, fever, headache or rash. A small number of people may have some symptoms that could affect the nervous system
and become fatal.
“Mosquitoes that carry WNV are more likely to bite during the evening, night, and early morning,” reads the news release. “Wearing insect repellent containing the chemical DEET or picaridin will help keep mosquitoes away. Eliminate standing water around the home and yard to keep mosquitoes from breeding.”
Georgia Department of Public Health also encourages residents to wear loose fitting clothes, empty containers with standing water and make sure windows and doors are shut tight.
Latrice Williams is a general assignment reporter covering Bryan and Effingham County. She can be reached at lwilliams6@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: One resident in Georgia has contracted West Nile virus
