Two mosquito traps in the Atlanta area recently tested positive for West Nile virus, public health officials said, prompting warnings about the potential health impacts as late summer approaches.
While cases are typically mild and not widespread, the state saw a spike in infections last year, which led to several deaths. The virus primarily impacts birds and other animals but can spread to people through mosquito bites.
West Nile virus isn’t new to Georgia, and very few cases of infection typically occur each year. According to data from the Georgia Department of Public Health, the state had 81 cases from 2018 to 2022, an average of 20 per year…