DeKalb County health officials reported this week the first positive test results of the season of West Nile disease-carrying mosquitoes.
Eight different traps captured the insects, indicating possibly a busy season for the virus, according to the DeKalb Board of Health.
DeKalb's was the first positive return for the disease-bearing insects in the metro Atlanta area, according to the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The data, posted on a CDC West Nile website, is current through July 10.
DeKalb health officials said 17 of 51 collections of mosquitoes, taken from eight trap locations, recently tested positive for the West Nile virus. Earlier this season, the virus was detected in mosquitoes in Lowndes County, in South Georgia.
All of DeKalb's positive returns occurred inside I-285, but DeKalb Board of Health spokeswoman Beth Ruddiman emphasized, "Everyone needs to take precautions regardless of where they live."
"The virus either is in their area and just hasn't been picked up by one of our traps, or eventually will be there," Ruddiman told the AJC. "We try not to focus on specific areas, and focus on general precautions."
In a prepared statement, Dr. S. Elizabeth Ford, district health director for the DeKalb Board of Health, said, "I am encouraging residents to educate themselves about West Nile virus prevention and to take precautions to protect themselves."
"The most effective actions against the virus are to wear mosquito repellent and to reduce standing water where mosquitoes breed," Ford said.
Most people infected with the virus do not show any ill effects, and others develop a mild illness called West Nile fever, but some develop a severe illness, health officials said. Individuals over the age of 50 are at highest risk of contracting a severe case, thought people of all ages can get the disease.
The CDC reported 712 confirmed West Nile cases nationwide last year. Fewer than five were in DeKalb County.
The AJC in April reported health officials were concerned that West Nile activity could peak earlier this year, ahead of its usual time in August and September, because of reports of unusually high numbers of mosquitoes emerging this spring.
Georgia generally sees 10 to 20 West Nile cases a year. As of Tuesday, no human cases of the disease had been reported yet this year in Georgia, the CDC said.
Tips for warding off mosquitoes
— Get rid of standing water in your yard. Change water in a birth bath weekly and in pet bowls every few days.
— Lighted citronella candles can help when there is limited air flow.
— Wear bug repellent with DEET or Picaridin, or a fan-powered device that circulates repellent around the person and doesn't require repellent be put on skin.
— Hire a professional to treat your yard, or do it yourself.
— When outdoors, sit next to a floor fan; mosquitoes avoid the rush of air.
— Wear khaki and other light-colored clothing; mosquitoes are attracted to darker clothing. Also, wear loose-fitting clothing that covers arms and legs.
Source: Entomologist Elmer Gray of the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service
— Staff writer Helena Oliviero contributed to this article.
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