Fulton County

health officials confirmed late last week that a case of West Nile virus

has been discovered in South Fulton County.

Officials said

a dead crow found on Ben Hill Road in East Point tested positive for the

virus.

Fulton County

Commissioner Bill Edwards, who has led two community seminars on the disease,

said residents should not panic.

"We are

closely monitoring the West Nile virus and aggressively larviciding areas

where it has been discovered, but we continue to stress that the best

way to prevent it is to avoid contact with mosquitoes," he said.

"Residents

can greatly reduce their risk of being bitten by using insect repellent,

limiting time outdoors, eliminating standing water around their homes

and wearing protective clothing, such as long sleeves and pants."

West Nile virus,

previously found only in other parts of the world such as Africa, Eastern

Europe and western Asia, appeared in the United States in 1999, and in

Georgia in 2001. It is carried by certain mosquitos that infect birds,

animals and people.

Health officials

said people over age 50 have the highest risk of developing severe illness

because their bodies have a harder time fighting off disease. People with

compromised or weakened immune systems also are at a higher risk. However,

anyone can get the virus.

Most people

have no symptoms or experience mild flu-like symptoms. In rare cases,

the virus may cause encephalitis (swelling of the brain).

Officials said

you should see a doctor immediately if you develop symptoms such as high

fever, confusion, muscle weakness, severe headaches, stiff neck, or if

your eyes become sensitive to light.

Patients with

mild symptoms should recover completely, and do not require any specific

medication or laboratory testing.

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