The Fulton County Division of Environmental Health Services continues to battle the spread of West Nile Virus (WNV) throughout the county.  There have been no reports of WNV human cases or of WNV positive mosquito designated testing sites or “pools”. Residents are urged to assist in this battle to limit the spread of the disease by clearing areas of standing water and by taking precautions when outside.

In 2010, Environmental Health Services placed 12,702 larvicide briquettes designed to kill mosquitoes in the larval stage of development. The division continues to larvicide troubled areas and to monitor for potential new areas. So far this year, the division has larvicided 856 catchbasins in their continued efforts to protect the health of the citizens and visitors to Fulton County.

To reduce exposure to mosquitoes and to reduce the risk of West Nile Virus, the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness recommends the following:

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, breeding grounds can be eliminated to 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 cleaned 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. 

• Use insect repellent containing the active ingredient N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET). Spray the top of your clothing and exposed skin. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label. 
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks when outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk.

West Nile Virus season runs May through October which requires continuous efforts to battle the spread of this potentially deadly virus.  Symptoms of WNV include headache, fever, neck discomfort, muscle and joint aches, swollen lymph nodes and a rash.  WNV can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the spinal cord and lining of the brain).  People with compromised immune systems or other underlying conditions are at greater risk for complications from this disease.

For more information on West Nile Virus and prevention methods, call the Mosquito Hotline: 404-730-5296 or contact the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness; Division of Environmental Health at (404) 613-1301.  Also, more information is available at http//:www.fultoncountygahealth.org.

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