Mosquitoes around metro Atlanta test positive for West Nile virus

Mosquitoes in 11 locations across DeKalb County have tested positive for West Nile virus, officials said.

According to the DeKalb County Board of Health, technicians trapped mosquitoes with the virus in neighborhoods including Lithonia, Tucker, Brookhaven, Druid Hills and Clarkston. They are the county’s first West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes of 2019.

Credit: DeKalb County Board of Health

Credit: DeKalb County Board of Health

Officials are now going door to door in those areas to inform residents and check for signs of possible mosquito breeding.

No human cases of West Nile virus have been confirmed in DeKalb, the health board said.

DeKalb has a total of 25 mosquito traps, health board spokesman Eric Nickens said.

Most people infected with West Nile do not develop any symptoms, but some develop a bad fever and others can develop a severe illness.

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The emergence of West Nile virus can fluctuate year to year; last year, the first mosquitoes in DeKalb tested positive in mid-July, Nickens said.

To stop the spread of West Nile virus, health officials encouraged residents to eliminate standing water in gutters or other items, wear insect repellent and trim tall grass, weeds and vines.

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