Human case of West Nile Virus confirmed in Chatham County

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – A Chatham County resident has been confirmed with West Nile Virus (WNV), the first reported case in 2024.

The Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) announced the diagnosis on Tuesday. The department also emphasized that the person had been symptomatic before recent weather events and that mosquito activity from Tropical Storm Debby was not a factor in this case.

West Nile is a serious and potentially fatal virus that is transmitted through mosquito bites.

The GDPH stresses the “Five D’s” of mosquito bite prevention that 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 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.