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- WNV transmission: West Nile Virus can lead to severe illness; prevention is crucial due to the absence of a vaccine.
- 5Ds of prevention: Follow the 5Ds: Avoid dusk/dawn, dress appropriately, use DEET, drain standing water, and ensure doors are secure.
- Community responsibility: Residents should actively implement measures to reduce mosquito populations and protect themselves from West Nile Virus.
Mosquito pool samples collected in Glynn County have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). Vector Disease Control International (VDCI), the county’s Mosquito Control contractor collected the positive samples in five locations in the Brunswick area, including at Blythe Island Regional Park, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, the GP Paper Mill, and on New Castle Street.
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, joint pain, 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 or picaridin, which are both effective repellents against mosquito bites.
- Drain: Empty any 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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