ATLANTA – Fulton County Board of Health (FCBOH) Environmental Health mosquito control staff recovered two additional positive mosquito samples for West Nile virus from traps this week. The positive test results were reported in the Northwest and Southeast quadrants of the City of Atlanta. The results indicate the presence of infected mosquitoes in the area.
The FCBOH Environmental Health department is currently canvassing and educating residents of the surrounding communities about the positive test results and ways to prevent mosquito bites and breeding areas around their homes.
As a reminder, residents should practice the 5Ds of mosquito bite prevention to help prevent
mosquito bites and breeding:
· Dusk/Dawn – Avoid dusk and dawn activities during the summer when mosquitoes are most active.
· Dress – Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants to reduce the amount of exposed skin.
· DEET – Cover exposed skin with an insect repellent containing DEET, which is the most effective repellent against mosquito bites.
· Drain – Empty any containers holding standing water – buckets, barrels, flowerpots, tarps – because they are breeding grounds for virus-carrying mosquitoes.
· Doors – Make sure doors and windows are in good repair and fit tightly and fix torn or damaged screens to keep mosquitoes out of the house.
– Also trim or remove overgrown grass or weeds
If there are any infected mosquitoes reported in the area, the Fulton County Board of Health
works with a mosquito control vendor to eliminate the pests.
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The Fulton County Board of Health provides a variety of services that help protect residents
from health threats, increase access to health services to improve health outcomes, and provide
information that assists Fulton County citizens in living healthier lives. For more information on
the Fulton County Board of Health, visit http://www.fultoncountyboh.com.