About West Nile Virus

West Nile virus is a virus spread by infected mosquitoes. The virus usually infects birds, but mosquitoes that feed on infected birds and then bite humans can spread the disease to humans. Rarely, West Nile virus may also be acquired through blood transfusions or organ transplants, or possibly from a breast-feeding mother to her infant. The virus cannot be spread from person to person or from animal to person.

Historically, West Nile virus has been found in parts of Africa, West Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. The virus was identified in the United States for the first time during 1999 and first detected in Georgia in 2001.

West Nile virus rarely causes serious illness or death, but persons over 50 years of age have the highest risk of severe disease.

Mild cases of West Nile infection may have a slight fever and/or headache. More severe infections are marked by high fever, headache, muscle aches and weakness, seizures and paralysis. Symptoms usually occur 3-15 days after exposure. There is no specific treatment for an infected person, and there is no human vaccine to prevent infection.

Prevention information

The best way to prevent infection with West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases is to avoid getting mosquito bites. You can take the following precautions to protect yourself and your family:

  • Minimize time spent outdoors when mosquitoes are most active. The mosquitoes that are more likely to carry West Nile virus are usually active from dusk to dawn. However, some mosquitoes that bite during the day have also been known to carry West Nile virus.
  • If you go outdoors when mosquitoes are active, cover up by wearing shoes, socks, lightweight long-sleeved shirts, and long pants. Consider using on exposed skin a mosquito repellent that contains DEET (N, Ndiethyl-methyl-meta-toluamide) or picardin (KBR 3023). Oil of lemon eucalyptus, a plant repellent, provides protection similar to repellents with lower concentrations of DEET. DEET will also repel ticks, which other repellents may not. Check with your doctor before using repellents on children or pregnant women.
  • Carefully read and follow directions on the container and wash treated skin when mosquito exposure has ended.
  • Consider remaining indoors at times when numerous mosquitoes are biting.
  • Make sure your home, porch, and patio have tight-fitting screens that keep mosquitoes out.
  • Consider using lights that do not attract insects.
  • All mosquitoes need standing water for the first stages of development. Eliminate stagnant water where mosquitoes can lay eggs around your home. Dispose of old tin cans, jars, tires, plant pots, and any other container that can hold water.
  • In the spring, inspect rain gutters and downspouts and remove any leaves and other debris.
  • Stack wheelbarrows, tubs, buckets, barrels, boats, and canoes upside down so that water cannot accumulate in them.
  • Empty stagnant birdbaths, lily ponds and small wading pools at least once a week.
  • Properly maintain backyard swimming pools to discourage the development of mosquitoes.
  • Cover any pool not in use so rainwater and leaves do not accumulate in it. Be sure the cover does not hold pockets of water.

Information resources

The Cobb & Douglas Public Health have created an information line to provide details on West Nile virus and our efforts in the counties. For more information, call 770-514-2432, option 6. You can also request an educational speaker for your business or community group by calling the information line.

Public Health Plans

The Cobb & Douglas Public Health are working closely with the Georgia Division of Public Health, county governments, and cities within the counties to prepare for West Nile virus. In addition to educating the public about the importance of preventing mosquitoes, we are collecting mosquitoes from strategic areas of the counties in order to know what species of mosquito live here and where they are. With this knowledge we will be better prepared to implement control measures.

Reporting dead birds

Dead birds cannot transmit West Nile virus to you or your family. This viral infection is spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. You cannot catch West Nile virus from the bird. During the West Nile virus season, Public Health will collect dead birds until testing verifies the virus is present in those areas.

  • Try to determine if the bird is one of the species being tested. Only blue jays and crows are eligible for testing, as they seem to be the species most susceptible to West Nile virus. If the bird is not one of these species, then dispose of the bird by double bagging it and placing it in your regular trash. You can also bury it three feet deep. Remember to wear gloves or use a shovel to handle dead birds or any other dead animal.
  • Try to determine how long the bird has been dead. If the eyes are clear and still look "normal" the bird has been dead for fewer than 24 hours and may be a candidate for testing. However, if the eyes are shriveled or missing, the bird has been dead for longer than 24 hours and cannot be tested.
  • See if there are any signs of trauma on the bird. Missing feathers, broken legs or wings, signs of blood or the head lying at an odd angle (especially if near a wall or window) are all signs of trauma. If there are any signs of trauma on the bird, it is ineligible for testing. Birds with signs of trauma or with insects should be properly disposed.
  • If the bird has been dead fewer than 24 hours, is one of the species being tested and has no signs of trauma, it may be eligible for testing. Call Public Health at 770-514-2432, option 7 to report a dead bird.