Nonprofit Spotlight – Making a Difference in Our Community:
If you needed one more reason to be diligent about bug spray this summer, here it is: a mosquito sample collected by Chatham County Mosquito Control has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV).
Mosquito Control regularly traps and tests mosquitoes throughout Chatham County to monitor for viruses that can spread to people. The information is used to direct insecticide efforts and to warn residents to take precautions.
The positive sample was collected from the midtown Savannah area. This is the first positive WNV test in the Chatham County mosquito population this year. Mosquito Control is treating the area with insecticide.
Mosquito bites are more than just an itchy nuisance. WNV is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected mosquitoes. Many people who are infected with the virus have no symptoms. Some may have mild to moderate symptoms including fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Severe cases can lead to serious, sometimes fatal, illness.
There is no vaccine or cure for WNV, so prevention is key. All residents should take steps to avoid mosquito bites and eliminate standing water. You can reduce your risk of infection by following the 5Ds of mosquito bite prevention:
- Dusk/Dawn – Avoid dusk and dawn activities during the summer when mosquitoes are most active.
- Dress – Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants to reduce the amount of exposed skin.
- DEET – Cover exposed skin with an insect repellent containing DEET, which is the most effective repellent against mosquito bites.
- Drain – Empty containers holding standing water – buckets, barrels, flowerpots, tarps – because they are breeding grounds for virus-carrying mosquitoes.
- Doors – Make sure doors and windows are in good repair and fit tightly, and fix torn or damaged screens to keep mosquitoes out of the house.
For more information on mosquito bite prevention, visit cdc.gov/mosquitoes.
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