May 20, 2013
SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) -- Lab tests have confirmed a person in the Savannah area has been infected by the mosquito-borne West Nile
virus.
It's the first human case of West Nile reported in Georgia all year according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
The CDC says Georgia reported 14 cases last year, but West Nile infections have fallen dramatically nationwide in the past decade.
Georgia Coastal Health District spokeswoman Sally Silberman said Monday that the Savannah-area case was reported several weeks ago but tests were needed to confirm it was West Nile.
Chatham County health officials warned earlier this summer that tests were confirming West Nile in mosquitoes in the area.
Health officials have urged residents to take precautions to minimize
mosquito bites.
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