@cbsatlanta: BREAKING: Health officials in Georgia say one person has died from West Nile Virus after eight people have contracted the disease this year, a number they expect will increase. Mosquito traps in Fulton, Chatham and DeKalb counties have tested positive for the virus, but this is the first deadly case of 2026. Officials have not shared details about the individual. Most people infected do not develop symptoms, but elderly people and those with compromised immune systems or underlying medical conditions face a greater risk of severe complications. The CDC reported 18 confirmed cases in Georgia and 2,146 cases and 172 deaths nationwide in 2025. With mosquito season lasting through October and warm weather continuing, health officials are urging Georgians to protect themselves from mosquito bites. The CDC recommends using EPA-registered insect repellent, wearing long, loose-fitting clothing and avoiding being outside between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active. Symptoms can include fever, headaches and vomiting and may develop two to six days after a bite.

CBS Atlanta

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Wednesday 16 September 2026 17:22:58 GMT