Tifton, Lowndes County men have West Nile

Published 3:27 pm Tuesday, December 6, 2005

TIFTON — A 70-year-old Tifton man remains hospitalized after testing positive for the West Nile virus, the first human case recorded in Tift County this year.

The Georgia Public Health Laboratory verified the positive test Thursday. Also, there are pending results for another human case in Tift County and one in Ben Hill County. Lab results obtained by a private lab on these cases were positive but state lab results must concur before the diagnosis is verified.

Also on Thursday, officials announced that an 18-year-old male in Lowndes County has also tested positive but has recovered.

Tift County had one of Georgia’s 13 positive human cases last year. This year, Tift County has had one of Georgia’s 16 positive horse tests but none of the state’s 200 positive bird tests. As of Thursday, Georgia has had 82 positive human cases this year.

West Nile virus is a potentially serious mosquito-transmitted arbovirus disease that can cause illness or death. Most who are infected have no symptoms while others experience mild or flu-like symptoms such as headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, swollen lymph glands and rash. A small number of people infected may develop serious illness such as meningitis or encephalitis.

“Preventing mosquitoes from breeding and protecting yourself from mosquito bites are the best ways to avoid the disease,” said Lynne D. Feldman, MD, MPH, district health director of the South Health District 8.

Jennifer Steedley of the district health office said the West Nile season usually gets into full swing in early August.

The district office said there are some basic tips for citizens to follow outdoors to lessen the chance of being bitten.

Wear light-colored pants and a long-sleeved shirt when outside.

Eliminate mosquito-breeding areas around your home. Mosquitoes can breed in any container that can collect water such a buckets, old tires, toys, flowerpots and barrels. Store wheelbarrows and boats upside down (or cover them) and empty pet watering dishes and birdbaths at least once a week. Keep pools and hot tubs chlorinated and stock ornamental pools with mosquito eating fish.

Minimize outdoor activities 30 minutes prior to dark until 30 minutes after dawn.