DeKalb County's West Nile virus season arrived two weeks earlier than expected, as routine collections of mosquitoes turned up positive tests for the virus, a county health official said.
The early test results may indicate that this will be a busy season, said Juanette Willis, arbovirus coordinator for the Division of Environmental Health of the DeKalb County Board of Health.
Four samples of Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes were collected in a trap on June 22 and 29 near I-20 in East Atlanta.
"While these mosquitoes were collected at one location, residents throughout DeKalb County should be aware there is a potential for [West Nile virus] activity anywhere in the county," Willis said in a statement.
Residents should educate themselves about the disease and take precautions, Willis said, adding, "The most effective actions against the virus are to wear mosquito repellent and to reduce standing water where mosquitoes breed."
For help in finding mosquito breeding sites, to report a dead bird or for more information on the virus, visit DeKalb 's West Nile website or call 404-508-7900.
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