Georgia Coastal Health District

The Coastal Health District has confirmed one West Nile Virus (WNV)-associated death and two additional human cases of WNV in Chatham County. These are the first confirmed human cases in the county or the Coastal Health District this year; however, WNV activity in mosquito populations has been detected and reported by Chatham County Mosquito Control and public health since July.

Statewide, there have been a total of 31 confirmed human cases and five deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 8 in 10 of people infected with WNV will show no symptoms at all; about 1 in 5 will develop a fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash; and about 1 in 150 will develop a severe illness affecting the central nervous system.

“West Nile Virus is transmitted by infected mosquitoes and once we know the virus is in the mosquito population we know that, unfortunately, there is a threat to people who live in that same population of contracting the virus,” said Lawton Davis, M.D., district health director for the Coastal Health District. “We continue to urge residents to do everything they can to keep from getting bitten by mosquitoes and to reduce mosquito breeding around their homes and neighborhoods.”

Mosquitoes that carry WNV are more likely to bite during the evening, night, and early morning. Wearing EPA-approved insect repellant containing at least 20-30 percent DEET will help keep mosquitoes away and eliminating standing water around the home and yard will help stop them from breeding.

Tip containers such as children’s toys, flowerpots, and planters after every rain or at least once a week and toss out anything that holds water, such as old tires or cans. Also clean out gutters, remove piles of leaves, and keep vegetation cut low to prevent landing sites for adult mosquitoes.

Chatham County Mosquito Control will continue to take steps to reduce the mosquito population and residents should expect to see Mosquito Control’s low flying, yellow helicopters on a regular basis throughout the county.

The 5Ds of mosquito bite prevention can also 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 the DEET, which is the most effective repellent against mosquito bites.
• Drain – Empty any containers holding standing water – buckets, barrels, flower pots, 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.

For more information on West Nile Virus click HERE or go to www.cdc.gov.

Two raccoons on Wilmington Island have tested positive for rabies. In the first incident, the raccoon came into contact with a dog. The dog is current on vaccinations and received a booster vaccine. In the second incident, a raccoon was hit by a car and an individual trying to render aid was scratched by the raccoon. The Chatham County Environmental Health office has reached out to the resident to recommend consultation with a healthcare professional.

Several species of wild animals that are native to coastal Georgia – including raccoons, foxes, and bats – can carry rabies. Rabies is a potentially deadly virus that is primarily spread by infected animals. The Chatham County Health Department Environmental Health office offers these tips to protect you and your family from rabies:

• Avoid contact with animals you don’t know.
• Make sure your pets receive the proper immunizations. Dogs and cats should get rabies vaccines by four months of age, followed by a booster shot one year later, and another one every year as prescribed by your veterinarian.
• Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or by leaving pet food out at night.
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. Do not try to nurse sick animals to health. Call animal control or a properly licensed animal rescue agency for assistance.
• Teach children to never handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly. “Love your own, leave other animals alone” is a good principle for children to learn.

Symptoms of rabies in animals include a change in behavior, biting, aggression, showing no fear of natural enemies (such as humans), foaming at the mouth, and paralysis.

The Chatham County Health Department midtown location at 1602 Drayton Street will only be open from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, September 29. Both health department locations – 1602 Drayton Street and 1395 Eisenhower Drive – will be closed for all services, including environmental health and vital records, on Friday, October 20, for staff training.

We apologize for any inconvenience this causes.