West Nile strikes in Augusta as cases soar with mosquitoes

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Cases of West Nile virus are growing across the state – including in Augusta.

Richmond County is the site of one of the six cases of the mosquito-carried illness this season in Georgia.

And it probably won’t get better, considering the boom in mosquitoes that’s been fueled by the standing water Tropical Storm Debby brought a few weeks ago, creating the perfect breeding condition for the blood-suckers.

In addition to Augusta, there are cases in the Dahlonega, Savannah and Atlanta areas.

Anne Dillard, 53, is one of the patients in Georgia.

She’s at Emory Hospital- unable to move her legs and awaiting physical therapy.

Her illness started as a rash, then a fever.

Dillard went to urgent care, but doctors couldn’t tell her what was causing her symptoms, which got worse.

“My legs would shake like I just did a really hard workout,” she said. “You know, that feeling? I woke up at like 3 on Thursday to get up to go to the bathroom and my legs just buckled underneath me I got myself to the door, scooting and unlocked it, called 911.”

Her doctors at Emory performed a spinal tap, and that’s when she found out she’d contracted West Nile.

Nationally, 289 cases have been reported in 33 states so far in 2024.

Even one of the top names in health isn’t immune from West Nile.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, formerly the head of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, got so sick from West Nile, he was hospitalized for six days.

“I really felt like I’d been hit by a truck,” he said. “I have to tell you, I’ve never been as sick in my life. Ever. By far, this is the worst I’ve ever been with an illness.”

West Nile can be mild or fatal. Two states – Wisconsin and Illinois – on Friday reported their first deaths of the year from the virus.

Another concern right now is the La Crosse virus.

There are currently 12 U.S. cases, mostly out of Tennessee. But it could soon be a danger, like other mosquito-spread illnesses, including dengue fever.

Experts say La Crosse does not cause symptoms in most people, however, if symptoms develop, they can include fever, headache, nausea and vomiting.

It’s carried by a specific type of mosquito that mainly bites at dawn and dusk in wooded areas.

“We just want to reiterate vigilance and prevention measures are crucial to keeping the community safe,” said Victoria Davidson, a Georgia public health epidemiologist. “As we do with any mosquito-borne virus, mosquito control and treatment is very important, and also prevention at the individual level.”

Why we should be paying attention in the CSRA

Up until Debby, weather had been pretty dry across the region. Then Tropical Storm Debby dumped more rain than many people can , bringing standing water in places like Screven and Bamberg counties.

That standing water is just the kind of place mosquitoes want to lay eggs.

Bamberg County officials say there has been an increase in mosquitoes because of flooding from Debby, so county crews are spraying and treating water to reduce the population.

“Mosquitoes can lay eggs in small amounts of water, so it’s very important to get rid of standing water that can accumulate in buckets, flowerpots, grill covers, tires, trashcan lids, toys and yard decorations or debris,” said Dr. Chris Evans, South Carolina state public health entomologist.

Evans suggests using dirt or cement to fill in low places such as tire ruts or puddles is important to prevent those areas from accumulating storm water.

West Nile and La Crosse viruses are far from the only health risks of mosquitoes.

The insects also carry dengue fever, which was already on the rise across the region. And they spread heartworms, which are endemic in the region, endangering the lives of beloved family pets.

There are at least 61 different species of mosquitoes in the region, but not all of them bite people, Evans said.

All about mosquitoes

Here’s what the experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say about the pests:

Mosquito bite signs

• A puffy and reddish bump appearing a few minutes after the bite
• A hard, itchy, reddish-brown bump, or multiple bumps appearing a day or so after the bite or bites
• Small blisters instead of hard bumps
• Dark spots that look like bruises

Severe reactions can occur

• In children
• In adults bitten by mosquito species they haven’t been exposed to previously
• In people with immune system disorders

More severe reactions

• A large area of swelling and redness
• Low-grade fever
• Hives
• Swollen lymph nodes

Infected bite

• Do not scratch bites. They can become infected.
• An infected bite may appear red, feel warm, or a red streak may spread outward from the bite.
• See a health care provider if symptoms worsen.

Prevention

• Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out any items that hold water like tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, or trash containers. Mosquitoes lay eggs near water.
• Tightly cover water storage containers (buckets, cisterns, rain barrels) so mosquitoes cannot get inside to lay eggs.
• For containers without lids, use wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.
• Fill tree holes to prevent them from filling with water.
• Repair cracks or gaps in your septic tank if you have one. Cover open vent or plumbing pipes. Use wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.
• Use larvicides to treat large bodies of water that will not be used for drinking and cannot be covered or dumped out.
• When using larvicides, always follow label instructions.
• Drain and turn over kiddie pools.
• Use an outdoor adulticide to kill adult mosquitoes in areas where they rest.
• Mosquitoes rest in dark, humid areas like under patio furniture or under the carport or garage.
• When using adulticides, always follow label instructions.
• Install or repair and use window and door screens.
• Close doors, including garage doors. Do not leave doors propped open.
• Use air conditioning when possible.

Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.