Coweta County

officials confirmed this week that the deadly West Nile Virus has been

discovered in the county.

According to

Environmental Health officials, a dead hawk was turned into the department

for testing in early August.

The bird was

discovered near Marion Beavers Road in Sharpsburg and officials learned

this week it tested positive for the virus.

Environmental

Health officials said the most important thing in preventing the spread

of the disease is to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes.

The Coweta

County Environmental Health Department has a few tips on how to deal with

these pesky pests.

All mosquitoes

need standing water for the first stages of development, by eliminating

stagnant water around your homes the adults will not have a place to lay

their eggs. Throwaway anything that can collect water such as old tire

cans buckets uncovered jars, plant pots, old kiddy pools and toys. Clean

gutters and downspouts and flat roofs. Stack anything that can hold water

such as wheelbarrows, tubs, boats, canoes, barrels and buckets upside

down so that water cannot accumulate in them.

Scrub birdbaths,

pet dishes and small pools and refill with clean water at least twice

weekly. When watering lawns or gardens try not to leave puddles. Eliminate

water holding tree stumps and fill holes in trees. Maintain pools and

hot tubs with proper filtration, cover any pools that are not in use and

do not allow water to collect on the covers.

In ponds and

water gardens keep fish that will eat the mosquito larvae. Repair leaky

pipes and outside faucets. Please encourage your neighbors to do the same.

Second, keep

mosquitoes out of your home using tight fitting window and door screens,

replace or repair any screens with holes or tears. Check all screened

porches for any entry places. Keep grass and weeds mowed, especially on

banks next to water, to reduce the adult mosquitoes' resting places.

Third, one

can use insect repellents with no more than 30 percent DEET, but use sparingly.

Use products with 15 percent or less DEET for children.

Do not use

any product with DEET on babies. Use sparingly, and always follow the

directions on the container. After exposure has ended be sure and wash

treated skin with soap and water.

Many of these

products are only good for only up to 4 hours, depending on wind, temperature,

humidity and sweating.

Last, cover

up. Wear long sleeves and long pants, socks and shoes. Some mosquitoes

can still bite through loose clothing, but not as well. Or avoid being

outside when mosquitoes are active, such as early morning and evening.

Bug zappers

are not a good means of controlling mosquitoes, they will kill more bugs

that kill mosquitoes than they kill mosquitoes. Citronella candles and

torches are only effective of there is not a breeze, and should be used

outdoors.

Electronic

repellers have not proven effective.

More information

on mosquito abatement can be found at the County Extensions Office on

East Washington Street or you can call them at 770-254-2620. You can also

call Coweta County Environmental Health, 770-254-7422.

Birds can be

tested for West Nile Virus only to determine if there are mosquitoes with

the virus in the area. The birds themselves cannot transmit the virus,

they only die from it. Because the state laboratories do not have the

facilities to test every dead bird in the state there are some guidelines

as to what can be tested.

Birds of prey,

such as hawks, crows and blue jays seem to be more susceptible to the

virus therefore only these types of birds will be tested. Once the bird

has died the virus also dies quickly, therefore birds that have been dead

and not refrigerated for longer than a few hours cannot be tested.

The most important

thing to remember is that if the mosquito population is kept to a minimum

then the risk of exposure to the virus is reduced, officials said.