West Nile, mpox, flu & COVID. Here are the illnesses rising in GA & how to get vaccinated
Fall is right around the corner and while many of us are looking forward to cooler weather, others of us are gearing up for cold and flu season.
However, cold and flu aren’t the only illnesses to worry about in Georgia.
Is West Nile Virus on the rise in Georgia?
The CDC has reported a rise in the West Nile Virus. According to recent reports, there have been six new cases in Georgia in 2024.
“Be aware of current activity in your area to help protect yourself and others. The risk for disease continues until after the first local frost,” a spokesperson with the CDC said. “Prevent bites by using an EPA-registered insect repellent and by wearing loose, long-sleeved clothing.
Symptoms include:
About 8 in 10 people infected don’t show symptoms of West Nile Virus, but the people that do have symptoms may have one or more of the following:
Fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea and rash
More severe symptoms include:
high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis
If sick, here’s what to do:
There is not currently a vaccine for West Nile Virus, but if you feel ill from a mosquito bite, you should seek medical help for antibiotics. Rest, hydration and over the counter pain medications will help relieve mild symptoms, but if symptoms are severe, you may need to be hospitalized for monitoring.
What does COVID and flu look like in Georgia right now?
COVID cases saw a slight uptick this spring and summer due to travel and vacations, but COVID cases are expected to increase more into the fall. The CDC recommends everyone get the updated COVID vaccine for the fall season, which should be available at healthcare offices in September. The vaccine lasts one year.
Flu numbers haven’t seen a dramatic increase, but with flu season right around the corner, the CDC and Georgia Department of Public Health encourage everyone to get a flu shot before the season starts.
Is mpox on the rise?
Earlier this month, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a “a public health emergency of international concern” regarding a recent outbreak of mpox (monkeypox).
According to the CDC, mpox is on the rise in Africa, with over 27,000 reported cases and 1,300 deaths. However, there are no cases in the United States at this time.
“The risk of mpox coming into the United States is low. CDC has made this assessment due to the limited number of travelers and no direct commercial flights from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) or its neighboring countries to the United States,” as stated on CDC’s website.
While the disease is unlikely to come to the U.S., the risk could change when more information such as case numbers and severity are available.
Is there a vaccine for mpox?
The CDC suggests avoiding skin-to-skin contact with anyone who has mpox, but the best way to prevent the disease is by getting vaccinated. Currently, there are two doses of the vaccine.
You can get vaccinated to prevent mpox at any Public Health Department or go to the CDC’s website for vaccination appointments near you.
What questions do you have? Let me know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com.
This story was originally published September 4, 2024 at 6:00 AM with the headline "West Nile, mpox, flu & COVID. Here are the illnesses rising in GA & how to get vaccinated."
