West Nile virus detected in mosquito traps in Atlanta area

Mosquito traps in the Atlanta area have tested positive for the West Nile virus over the past week.

Health officials said Monday that four more mosquito traps tested positive for the virus in DeKalb County. That’s the second time traps have come back positive in the county this summer.

The traps were in Avondale Estates, Clarkston, Doraville and the Decatur-Stonecrest area.

Fulton County reported its second positive test last week from a trap near Old National Park. County officials decided to close the park last week while they discussed next steps with health officials.

Rico Jackson was walking through the park Wednesday when he told CBS News Atlanta that he was unaware the virus was detected nearby.

“This should be the least we should worry about, mosquitoes,” Jackson said. “That’s crazy, man, you’ve got too many kids practicing over here and people who have been over here for years who probably don’t even know that.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only one case of the West Nile virus has been reported in a human in Georgia in Muscogee County. Symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea or rash.

The CDC recommends using an insect repellent registered with the Environmental Protection Agency, wearing long, loose-fitting shirts and pants and avoiding being outside between dusk and dawn.