No West Nile Virus Case in Middle Georgia, Still Need to Protect Yourself

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The West Nile Virus has made it’s way to the Peach State and local health officials want to make Middle Georgians are on high alert.

“There are about 21 cases in the state of Georgia [and] that number does include three deaths,” Jennifer Jones with the North Central Health District said.

According to the CDC, 47 states are reporting more than one thousand West Nile Virus cases and at least 41 deaths. Although the virus hasn’t hit here in Middle Georgia, it is never to late to start protecting yourself.

“The key to preventing mosquitoes is if there’s a water source there and you can get rid of it, you need to eliminate it,” Donna Cadwell with the Macon/Bibb County Health Department said.

Cadwell says this includes potted plants, gutters, bird baths and your pet’s water bowl. She says these places make the perfect breeding ground for the blood suckers.

Bibb County is doing its part to keep the bugs at bay. Joe Bridges coordinates the county’s mosquito spraying trucks that patrol the streets every night, spraying chemicals that kill adult mosquitoes.

“This is not a busy, busy season but with West Nile coming, people are getting more and more concerned and we’re spraying every night the weather permits us to,” Bridges said.

Other helpful tips include wearing pants and long sleeved shirts during early mornings and evenings. Cadwell also urges everyone to wear bug spray, but don’t forget to read the label.

“They have very specific information and they really need to be used properly to be used safely,” she said.

Even though no cases of West Nile have popped up in the Middle Georgia area yet, health department officials say it’s better to play it safe than be sorry.

“We need to make sure that we’re learning from other areas, that could just as likely happen in our area and we don’t need to assume its not coming our way,” Jones said.