Sydney Weigand, University of Georgia, 2025
Source: Elmer Gray, Research Professional, University of Georgia, 2025
Summer may be drawing to a close, but public health officials warn that West Nile virus season is still at its peak.
The mosquito-borne illness causes disorientation, fever, headache, and in severe cases, encephalitis or meningitis. Officials documented 54 confirmed cases and 5 deaths in Georgia last year, but actual incidence may have been higher; 24 blood donors later tested positive for the disease. Luckily, cases are lower than average so far this year, but officials still advise caution.
The most effective protection against WNV is prevention. Here are some ways to avoid being bitten this year:
Do everything you can to drain standing water.
- Do everything you can to drain standing water.
- Warm nights mean warm water, and warm water means mosquito larvae. When temperatures are ideal, eggs can become pupae within a week, and once they reach that stage, it gets difficult to prevent emergence.
- Dump out those bird baths, unclog your gutters, and bring empty flower pots inside. Eliminating breeding grounds can make a huge difference in the local mosquito population, and diligence is key.
- Make yourself less appetizing.
- Attractiveness varies from person to person, but there are some factors within your control. Loose, light-colored clothing can provide you with a bit of camouflage and decrease your heat signature.
- EPA-approved repellants are always a good idea. While some may wish to gravitate towards more holistic methods, a bonafide mosquito spray is going to work much more effectively. You can opt for a lower or higher concentration depending on how long you’ll be outdoors. Make sure you’re getting good, even coverage. It’s recommended that parents apply repellent to their children for them rather than leaving the task in their hands.
If you do get bitten, best practices include:
- Resist the itch!
- You may have the urge to scratch, but don’t give in! Scratching your mosquito bites can break the skin and introduce infection-causing bacteria to the area. Instead, turn to antihistamines and cortisone to help with the discomfort, and make sure the keep the area clean.
- Monitor yourself for symptoms.
- Many people think that only the elderly are susceptible to severe symptoms, but that is not always the case. While it’s true that they face more risk, everyone responds differently to the virus, and even the young and healthy can become seriously ill.
- It’s never a bad idea to stay vigilant. If you begin to experience fever or mental confusion and fever, go to the doctor. While there aren’t any specific treatments for WNV, it’s good to be under a doctor’s care.
Thankfully, Georgia officials are keeping an eye on local mosquito populations. Many counties have implemented programs that test the bugs for WNV, and their findings will help them ensure that they’re taking the correct public health approach.
While WNV might sound scary, taking the correct steps can help minimize risk so you can enjoy the rest of your summer!