The Coastal Health District of Georgia serves the counties of Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long & McIntosh

The information on this page was current as of the posting date, and is being provided here for archive purposes.

News & Events


More West Nile Virus Detected in Mosquito Samples from Wilmington Island

Chatham County Mosquito Control has confirmed an additional mosquito sample collected from Wilmington Island has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). WNV was originally detected in mosquito pools on the Island at the end of August. WNV is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected mosquitoes. Fortunately, most people infected with WNV do not feel sick and about 20% of people who are infected will have mild symptoms, but WNV can also cause serious illness.

Residents are strongly encouraged to take precautions against mosquito breeding and mosquito bites by:

  • Cleaning up around their homes, yards, and neighborhoods. Tip over things such as planters, children’s toys, and buckets after every rain and toss out unnecessary items that can hold water and become mosquito breeding grounds.
  • Clean out gutters, remove piles of leaves, and keep vegetation cut low to prevent landing sites for adult mosquitoes.

Residents are always encouraged to follow the “5 Ds” of mosquito bite prevention:

  • 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 outdoor containers holding standing water 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.

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