West Nile virus-optimistic mosquitoes identified in DeKalb County

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. – DeKalb County officers say they’ve uncovered mosquitos that have examined optimistic for West Nile virus at 3 areas in the county.

Monday, the DeKalb County Board of Overall health claims they have trapped West Nile-optimistic mosquitoes in Brookhaven, Chamblee, and the Redan area of unincorporated DeKalb County.

Generally, the Board of Overall health performs door-to-doorway canvasses of the parts afflicted, but officials say they will not be carrying out this due to the fact of COVID-19.

“Mosquitoes do not have COVID, but due to the fact the signs and symptoms are so comparable you’ll have to have to speak with your medical doctor to see about receiving a COVID examination,” Juanette Willis with DeKalb County told FOX 5’s Alex Whittler.

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Because of to the significant selection of mosquitoes now gathered, officers have applied larvacide to reduced-lying parts and storm drains in the spots exactly where the mosquitoes had been discovered. That will end young mosquitoes from becoming the traveling and biting bugs that normally spread the virus.

 So much no one has been confirmed to have a situation of West Nile virus in the county.

Officials suggest Georgians eliminate all standing water in your yard, wear extended-sleeves, trousers, and socks when outdoors, use insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535, and keep monitor doorways restricted.

“You have to strategy it forward of time, and apply it to your outfits due to the fact it is an insecticide,” Willis mentioned.

That repellent, which comes in the type of a spray, lasts as a result of “several washings,” Willis reported. 

That repellent, these types of as Permethrin, can be located at Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Merchandise and other retail organizations. 

Georgians ought to also check out to stay clear of going outside at dawn or dusk because that is when the virus-favourable mosquitoes are most active.

If you would like a lot more info, you can go to the DeKalb County Board of Health’s site.

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