After a 52-year-old Chatham County woman tested positive for West Nile Virus, the West Central Health District has pulled up its socks to protect people from getting infected from this virus.

Shawn Taylor, environmental health specialist for the West Central Health District said, “It’s only about 1 percent of mosquitoes that carry the virus, still, we must be careful”.

This is not the only reason as reports from Georgia and nationwide has indicated that the West Nile infected patients suffer from grim nervous system problem than before. Henceforth, the health board is not leaving any stone unturned.

According to recommendations, while going out, people should wear long-sleeved shirts, shorts and socks; insect repellant containing DEET should be worn; one should avoid going out in the prime time of attack -- dusk and dawn -- mosquitoes love to breed on water so one should keep his surroundings clean and should dispose of old tyres, cans and buckets that might collect standing water; swimming pool water needs to changed regularly; house gutters often get unnoticed, so do not allow water to stand there.

The West Central Health District has started spraying larvicide at the places where public gathers the most, and has also said they would come to houses if called, and would investigate the possible places where mosquitoes could breed.