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Mosquito tests positive for West Nile virus in Avondale Estates

Avondale Estates Decatur

Mosquito tests positive for West Nile virus in Avondale Estates

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A mosquito. Photo illustration. Source: Wikimedia commons

A mosquito. Photo illustration. Source: Wikimedia commons

The city of Avondale Estates said a mosquito collected from a DeKalb County Board of Health’s testing station has tested positive for West Nile virus.

A few days ago, a mosquito tested in Decatur also had the West Nile virus. The virus was detected in both cities last year.

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“While most people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms or experience mild flu-like symptoms, the virus potentially can cause serious and sometimes fatal illness,” a notice from the city of Avondale Estates says. “The chance that any one person is going to become ill from a single mosquito bite is low. The risk of severe illness and death is highest for people over 50 years old, although people of all ages can become ill.The easiest and best way to avoid West Nile virus is to prevent mosquito bites. While the potential for WNV transmission exists throughout the metro area, this WNV positive collection does indicate a higher risk at this time in your area.”

The Health Board recommends:

– Applying insect repellent. DEET (N, N‐diethyl‐meta‐toluamide), picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535 are effective repellents recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For more information, please see:

http://www.cdc.gov/westnile/prevention/index.html

– When possible, wear long sleeves, long pants and socks. Clothing may also be treated with permethrin.

– Use extra care when mosquitoes are most active, particularly from dusk to dawn.

Source: DeKalb County Board of Health

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