Northwest Georgia Public Health

West Nile Virus

Inspection Scores

West Nile Virus

During 2001 and 2002 extensive resources were used to conduct site visits and evaluate birds for shipment to the state lab for testing. Based on those test results, the presence of West Nile Virus was confirmed in and around our county. As Georgia began its 3rd year of West Nile Virus involvement, it moved its attention away from dead bird surveillance to focusing on personal protection from infected mosquitoes and source reduction to limit mosquito breeding grounds. With the focused moved away from dead bird surveillance, our staff was no longer responsible for conducting site visits as in previous years for individuals calling to report dead birds. However, site visits may be considered at the discretion of the county manager if unusual circumstances are identified. From 2003 to 2004, our staff continued to log all reported dead bird sightings and gave people the option of bringing the bird(s) to our office for evaluation and possible shipment. These same courtesies will continue to be provided throughout the 2005 calendar year.

About WNV | Reporting | Protect Yourself |
Additional Information | Testing and Surveillance

About West Nile Virus

What is West Nile virus?

West Nile virus (WNV) is a virus that is spread by mosquitoes. The virus usually infects birds, but it can be spread to humans by mosquitoes that feed on infected birds and then bite humans. The virus cannot be spread by person-to-person contact.

Historically, West Nile virus has been found in parts of Africa, West Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. The virus was identified in the United States for the first time during 1999. West Nile virus is closely related to the virus that causes St. Louis encephalitis (SLE), which has caused illnesses in Georgia residents in the past.

How concerned should I be about West Nile virus in Georgia?

The disease caused by West Nile virus is very similar to St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE), but it is generally milder. SLE is caused by a virus that is similar to West Nile virus; it is also a disease that is transmitted by mosquitoes, and it has been in Georgia for many years. Human infections with these mosquito-borne viruses are very rare and can be prevented by taking simple measures to avoid mosquito bites.

What measures are being taken to protect Georgia residents?

The Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health and health departments in other states along the East Coast have received grants from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to track West Nile virus. Because West Nile virus activity usually appears in in birds before it infects other local animals or humans, Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public health is working with the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine to look for the virus in resident and migratory birds throughout the state.

In addition to looking for West Nile virus in birds, we assist veterinarians in having horses with symptoms of encephalitis tested for West Nile virus and other diseases. Laboratory samples from humans in Georgia who are suspected of having a mosquito-borne viral encephalitis will also be tested for West Nile virus.

When West Nile virus or any other mosquito-borne disease is detected in Georgia, measures are taken to increase public awareness of ways to minimize mosquito exposure and prevent mosquito bites.

What symptoms will I have if I am infected with West Nile virus?

Symptoms usually occur 3-15 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people who are infected with West Nile virus will have no symptoms or may have a mild flu-like illness with a fever, headache, and body aches before they recover. In some individuals, particularly the elderly, the virus can cause a serious illness called encephalitis, which is an inflammation of the brain. Symptoms of encephalitis may include high fever, severe headache, nausea, stiff neck, confusion, muscle weakness, paralysis, disorientation, convulsions, coma, and rarely, death. Less than 1% of humans infected with West Nile virus will develop serious illness. If you have any concerns about your health, you should contact your healthcare provider.

Dead Bird Reporting

I have seen dead birds. Should I report them?

Please contact your local County Environmental Health Services if you find dead birds near your home. We will continue to log all dead bird reports and the caller will be asked the following guidelines to determining if the dead bird will be sent off for testing.

The bird must have died within 48 hours
The bird should show no signs of decomposition
The bird's eyes should not be dried or missing

If you are asked by Environmental Health Services to submit your dead bird for testing, please use the following instructions for handling the birds.

Do not handle the dead bird with your bare hands
Gloves or other means such as placing a hand inside of a plastic bag and picking the bird up should be used (Ziploc bags work well for small birds)
The bird should then be placed inside a 2nd bag and closed tightly
If the bird should be submitted to the environmental health office immediately after collection or the bird should be held under refrigeration

Otherwise, dead birds may be disposed of by double-bagging and placing them in the regular trash, or burying them 2-3 feet deep. Reports of birds that are not collected for testing are still very useful. These dead bird sightings will be recorded and combined with reports from throughout the state so that we may quickly determine where the virus is present in Georgia.

Remember that birds may die for many reasons. Some birds die of old age, some are hit by cars or run into power lines, some are considered pests and are poisoned by humans, and some die from other viral or bacterial infections.

Will the dead birds in my area make my family or me sick?

Dead birds infected with this type of virus have never been known to be a source of illness for people. This viral infection is spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. However, you should not handle any dead animal with your bare hands. Wear gloves or use a shovel to handle dead birds or any other dead animal.

Protecting Against West Nile Virus

How can I prevent myself from being infected with West Nile virus?

The best way to prevent infections with West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases is to avoid getting mosquito bites. Other viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes, including those that cause St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), already exist in Georgia and you can take the following precautions to protect yourself and your family against them:

Minimize time spent outdoors when mosquitoes are most active (dusk and dawn).
If you go outdoors when mosquitoes are active, cover up by wearing shoes, socks, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants. Consider using a mosquito repellent that contains DEET (N, N-diethyl-methyl-meta-toluamide) on exposed skin. Use products containing 10% or less DEET for children and no more than 30% for adults. Do NOT use products containing DEET on infants. Carefully read and follow directions on the container and wash treated skin when mosquito exposure has ended.
Make sure your home, porch, and patio have tight-fitting screens that keep mosquitoes out.
All mosquitoes need standing water for the first stages of development. Eliminate stagnant water around your home, where mosquitoes can lay eggs, by disposing of old tin cans, jars, tires, plant pots, and any other container that can hold water. In the spring, inspect rain gutters and down spouts and remove any leaves and other debris. Stack wheelbarrows, tubs, buckets, barrels, boats or canoes, etc. upside down so that water cannot accumulate in them. Empty stagnant bird baths, lily ponds, small wading pools, etc. at least once a week. Properly maintain backyard swimming pools to discourage the development of mosquitoes. Cover any pool not in use so rainwater and leaves do not accumulate in it. Be sure the cover does not hold pockets of water.

If standing water is located near your house that can not be eliminated, your next best option would be to use a mosquito larvicide that will prevent the full development of a mature adult mosquito. Larvicides designed for residential use are often carried by your local hardware stores and garden centers.

Mosquito Dunks
Mosquito Bits

Is there anything I can do to protect my horse or pet from West Nile virus?

Yes. You should limit your animals' exposure to mosquitoes. the best way to do this is by removing any potential sources of water in which mosquitoes can breed. Dispose of any water-holding containers on your property. Drill holes in the bottom of containers that left outdoors. Clean clogged roof gutters. Keep swimming pools properly cleaned and maintained. Routinely empty, clean, and refill livestock watering troughs.

It may be advisable to keep horses, pets, and other animals inside at night to reduce the probability of them being bitten by mosquito. Horses can be kept inside a barn, with the barn doors closed. A vaccine to help protect horses from infection with West Nile virus was conditionally licensed by the U. S. Department of Agriculture in August 2001 and is now available in Georgia. You should contact your veterinarian if you have question about this vaccine.

Are wild game hunters at risk for West Nile virus infection?

Because of their outdoor exposure, hunters may be at risk if they are bitten by mosquitoes in areas where there is West Nile virus activity. Hunters should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites, such as applying mosquito repellent to clothing and skin according to label instructions. Hunters should also follow the usual precautions when handling wild animals. They should wear gloves when handling and cleaning animals to prevent blood exposure to bare hands and meat should be cooked thoroughly.

Additional Information

Whom should I contact for more information?

For information about local mosquito control programs and how to report dead birds, please call your local County Environmental Health Department.

For information about West Nile virus in livestock and animals you may visit the Georgia Department of Agriculture website.

Georgia Department of Agriculture

For general information about West Nile virus and surveillance for vector-borne diseases in Georgia, call your county health department, the Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, or the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health
(404) 657-2588
Center for Disease Control and Prevention

For information about the use of pesticides to control mosquitoes, contact the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Environmental Protection Agency

Testing and Surveillance Data

What kind of testing and surveillance is being done in our area?

In 2005 the main focus for West Nile Virus surveillance shifted from dead bird testing to logging sightings of dead birds and testing mosquito traps at designated mosquito pools. One of the determining factors for deciding on the location of the mosquito pools was the locations of the dead bird sightings logged by the county health departments, as well as, current and past locations of dead birds that were laboratory confirmed to have the West Nile Virus (WNV). The tables below represent the findings of the 2005 WNV surveillance.

Dead Bird Testing Results

Mosquito Pool Testing Results

#Birds

County

Virus Isolation

# Pools

County

Species

Virus Isolation

Bartow

NEG

Bartow

Cx. quinquefasciatus

NEG

Bartow

POS-WNV

Catoosa

Cx. quinquefasciatus

NEG

Catoosa

NEG

Catoosa

Oc. triseriatus

NEG

Dade

NEG

Floyd

Cq. perturbans

NEG

Haralson

NEG

Floyd

Cs. melanura

NEG

Paulding

NEG

Floyd

Cx. quinquefasciatus

NEG

Paulding

POS-WNV

Floyd

Cx. restuans

NEG

Polk

NEG

Paulding

Cx. quinquefasciatus

NEG

Walker

NEG

Paulding

Oc. triseriatus

NEG

Polk

Cx. nigripalpus

NEG

Polk

Cx. quinquefasciatus

NEG

Polk

Cx. restuans

NEG

Walker

Cx. quinquefasciatus

NEG

For past information on counties with laboratory confirmed West Nile Virus (WNV) cases please check the maps listed below.

WNV Positive Counties: Georgia, 2003
WNV Positive Counties: Georgia, 2002
WNV Positive Counties: Georgia, 2001