West Nile shows up in donated blood

The West Nile virus has been detected in blood donated by a man in DeKalb County. Health officials say the infected pint of blood was found before it reached the general blood supply. Officials say the 61-year-old man shows no symptoms from the virus. State officials say it’s the third case of West Nile found in a blood donation this year in Georgia.

More West Nile cases

West Nile virus is confirmed in three people in the Albany area. There are two cases reported in Dougherty County and one in Lee County. The victims ranging from 23 to 46 years old reported symptoms such as fever and chills. West Nile is triggered by the bite of a mosquito already carrying the virus.

(Associated Press)

Bugs test positive for West Nile virus

State health officials say the recent discovery of a group of mosquitoes carrying the West Nile Virus is the first case this year in Georgia. The mosquitoes were trapped in a Fulton County park in an area of Atlanta called Buckhead. But they are cautioning Georgians not to panic -- because the virus is in bugs, not a person. Last year there were 50- human cases of West Nile Virus related illnesses and one death. State health officials say Georgians should use bug repellant when outside and emptying stagnate water from flower pots and buckets.

Multiple cases of equine virus in south Georgia

State health officials have confirmed six positive cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis found in five horses in south Georgia. The most recent cases were found in Lowndes County, which had two. One case each was confirmed in Berrien, Brooks, Cook and Lanier counties. For the entire state, nine cases of the mosquito-borne virus have been confirmed for the year—that’s up from six recorded for all of last year. The EEE virus has similarities to that of West Nile. However, a south Georgia health official tells the Valdosta Daily Times that most people bitten by a mosquito carrying EEE will not become sick. The virus cannot be transmitted from horse to person.

Columbus: four ill with West Nile Virus

Four cases of West Nile Virus have been diagnosed in Columbus since last month, health officials report.

Columbus West Central Health District Program Manager Ed Saidla told GPB News that this is the time of the year when individuals are most likely to contract the disease:

“Persons who are elderly, or have other health conditions are often more likely not to survive West Nile Virus than those who are healthy at the time of infection. However – west Nile Virus can cause serious, life-changing events to even healthy individuals. Anybody can wind up with the virus, so it's important that they take precautions.”

The West Central Health District recommends the following steps to limit exposure to the mosquitoes that carry the virus:

Mosquitoes need water to breed. They can breed in any puddle or standing water that remains more than four days. By removing areas of standing water, you will eliminate breeding grounds and reduce the number of mosquitoes.

Dispose of old tires. Regularly empty any metal cans, ceramic flowerpots, bottles, jars, buckets, and other water-holding containers on your property.

Turn over plastic wading pools, outdoor toys and wheelbarrows when not in use.

Repair leaky pipes and outside faucets.

Keep gutters cleared and sloped to the downspout.

Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outdoors.

Keep swimming pools clean and properly chlorinated. Remove standing water from pool covers.

Make sure windows and screens are in good condition.

Purchase and use Mosquito Dunks (a larvicide used to kill mosquito larvae) to control mosquitoes in areas with standing water and in containers that cannot be dumped.

Mosquitoes that carry the West Nile Virus bite during the evening, night and early morning. Take precautions to protect yourself and your family during these periods.

Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks when outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk.

Consider using insect repellent containing DEET. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label.

For more information on the West Nile Virus and prevention methods, contact your local health department Environmental Health Department.

Saidla could not verify an earlier newspaper report of a fatality in Alabama from the disease:

"The quote that was reported in the newspaper was a misunderstanding in terms of the question that was being asked, and was really more in reference to the gentleman who was 80-years-old and died up in Clayton County, that was confirmed from West Nile Virus."

Click here for more GPB coverage of the health threat.