• By Todd Luck
• Posted Wednesday, September 14, 2022

West Nile Virus detected in Forsyth mosquitos

The Forsyth County Department of Public Health is aware of mosquitos that have tested positive for West Nile Virus in Forsyth County. There are no confirmed cases of the virus in humans.

The mosquitos tested positive for the West Nile Virus as part of regular monitoring and testing the county’s Environmental Health Division does every mosquito season. The areas where the positive mosquitos were found are being actively treated to kill the adult mosquitos.

The last time a mosquito tested positive for West Nile in Forsyth County was in August of 2021. The last confirmed human infection in the county, was a single case in November 2021.

Most people who contract West Nile Virus have no symptoms. About one in five cases develop a fever with other symptoms like headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash, and will make a full recovery. In rare cases, infected individuals develop a serious illness affecting the central nervous system.

To help control the mosquito population, residents should pay attention to standing water on their property that mosquitos can breed in. Residents should dump out any standing water around their home every seven days and after rain. If the water cannot be dumped, it should be treated with a larvicide to kill any mosquito larvae.

Using EPA-approved mosquito repellants like Picaridin or DEET anytime you are outside in the evenings or after dark can reduce your chances of being bitten. Pants and long sleeves can also help prevent mosquito bites.

For further questions or assistance with mosquitos, you can call Environmental Health at 336-703-3225.